2014-15 Football Previews – (ACC) – Cavaliers
Virginia coach Mike London is in big trouble. Despite early promise the program is going backwards and with the league getting more difficult yet again this season there is little hope for an immediate turnaround.
Virginia Cavaliers
Head Coach: Mike London
2013 Record: 2-10
Gambling Odds to win National Championship: 75/1 (field)
Gambling Odds to win (ACC): 60/1
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
They enter the season on a 9 game losing streak and have UCLA coming to town to get things started.
There might not be more than the 2 wins they got last year for this overmatched squad which might be the worst in the ACC. Promising recruiting results just aren’t paying off.
Strengths:
The best performing part of last year’s team was a secondary that was 67th in the nation in passing yards against. All four starters return this season – 3 seniors and a junior – so there is every reason to expect an even better showing in 2014. Safety Anthony Harris is first team all ACC.
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s College Picks in 2014!
Senior RB Kevin Parks was the team’s best offensive threat last season, rushing for more than 1000 yards with 11 TDs. With a new QB at the helm you can bet he is going to get his chances to significantly increase on those totals.
He may only be 5’8” but he has shown good durability and should go out with his most productive season yet.
There is a lot of excitement about DT Andrew Brown who could be a real difference maker up front. Unlike most frost he does not have to bulk up to play at this level and he has shown in highschool that that he is a big time disruptor.
The defensive line could easily match the strength of the back end of the defense.
Weaknesses:
The Cavs really don’t know who is going to be their starting QB this season. Junior David Watford is the incumbent but he was terrible last year tossing 15 picks against 8 TDs. Sophomore Greyson Lambert looks the part on the sidelines but in game action was underwhelming.
[soliloquy id=”82219″]
Not helping matters is that the line was not very good last season and will start two sophomores this season. In the spring this unit was pretty banged but they have more than enough size, especially in the middle. Starting TE Zachary Swanson is also a heavy at 260 pounds.
The line has to gel or the Wahoos have no chance.
The culture of losing around the program isn’t good and the league keeps getting deeper. Their schedule is no picnic this season as they draw FSU and Louisville from the Atlantic division, a couple of challenges they are not ready for.
Throw in trips to BYU and a home date with UCLA and this season is not very promising.
Gambling Prediction: 2-10
2014 Virginia Schedule:
- Aug 30 – UCLA
- Sep 6 – Richmond
- Sep 13 – Louisville
- Sep 20 – @BYU
- Sep 27 – Kent State
- Oct 4 – Pittsburgh
- Oct 18 – @Duke
- Oct 25 – North Carolina
- nov 1 – @Georgia Tech
- Nov 8 – @Florida State
- Nov 22 – Miami (Fl)
- Nov 28 – @Virginia Tech
There is not much reason to think this year is going to be a turnaround season for London which probably means he is gone at some point. A tough schedule and uncertainty at QB are not strong combinations.
The one spot I am looking ahead at is mid October at Duke.
The Blue Devils will not be great this season and after a couple of home games the Cavs should be feeling as good as they will at any time this season.
