2008 Virginia Cavaliers Football
July 28, 2008
Al Groh led the Virginia Cavaliers to an overachieving 9-4 season where they finished 6-2 in the ACC’s Coastal Division. A near-upset of Texas Tech with a 28-31 setback in the Gator Bowl stopped Virginia from a 10-win season last year. Optimism is up in Cavalier country this season, but the talent level is certainly down. Let’s see if this team can overachieve again this season with Info Plays 2008 Virginia Cavaliers football predictions and season preview below.
Offense:
The Cavaliers might have to put the ball in the air more frequently this season in order to compete in the ACC Coastal Division. Virginia lost the interior of their offensive line and starting quarterback Jameel Sewell to academics in the offseason. In spite of the return of leading rushers Cedric Peerman and Mikell Simpson, it might be difficult for the Cavaliers to mount a solid running attack again this season. Having standout left tackle Eugene Monroe back will help, but with the interior of the offensive line gone it’s going to be hard-earned yards upcoming. New QB Peter Lalich was one of the nation’s top recruits two years ago and he’ll be expected to step in and lead this offense. Lalich has a strong, accurate arm and will have plenty of targets at his disposal.
Junior Kevin Ogletree is back after sitting out last season with a knee injury. He was their leading receiver in ‘06 as a freshman. With Ogletree gone last year, the Cavaliers developed depth at the receiver position with four other players becoming a threat for Lalich. Both Peerman and Simpson are solid receivers out of the backfield as well. Peerman was leading the ACC in rushing midway through last season before a foot injury sidelined him the rest of the year. Simpson came through in his place, capping the season off with 170 yards in the Gator Bowl. That performance included a 96-yard touchdown scamper, the second-longest run in college football history.
Defense:
Defensive coordinator Bog Pruett came out of retirement to mentor this defense. Pruett will have his hands full to try and replace defensive ends Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald. Long left for the NFL while Fitzgerald left school over academics.
The strength of the defense is its linebacking corps. A trio of three-year starters return with Clint Sintim on the outside and Jon Copper and Antonio Appleby on the inside. This group will have to step up big to help Virginia compete in ball games. The Cavaliers’ secondary is deep, but only two starters return in senior safety Byron Glaspy and junior corner Vic Hall.
Virginia Predictions at Info Plays: 5th in the ACC Coastal Division
Virginia’s surprising second-place finish in the ACC Coastal Division last year gives Cavalier fans hope. But this team will have to find new ways to win ball games with an unproven offensive line and a defense that lacks a pass rush. Virginia pulled off three of their victories last year by a single point, two more by two points and another by five. With a more challenging schedule, the Cavs will struggle to match those results. All four non-conference foes, including USC in the home opener, played in the postseason last year.
ACC Wins Expected in ‘08: at Duke, NORTH CAROLINA
Potential Scares/Losses: MARYLAND, at Georgia Tech, MIAMI, at Wake Forest, CLEMSON, at Virginia Tech