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Now it's time for Virginia to become an elite team. After stockpiling some of the best young talent in the ACC, head coach Al Groh has to put it all together and take this team full of NFL talent and make it a BCS player.
Virginia football has been good, but it hasn't done what Maryland has been able to do and hasn't really been in the mix for the ACC title under Groh. There have been some big wins and nice moments, but no one gets too excited over being the two-time Continental Tire Bowl winner.
It all starts with the defense with a linebacking corps that ranks among the best in the nation. With players like Ahmad Brooks, Darryl Blackstock and Kai Parham forming the nucleus of a devastating young D, and DE Chris Canty leading a great unsung line, many other issues, like the young secondary and the potential inconsistency on offense, can be forgotten about for a while.
But for the Cavaliers to take that next step up, quarterback Marques Hagans is going to have to shine. He might not be Matt Schaub, but his running ability and knowledge of the offense are strong enough to add a new dimension to the attack. If he becomes a star, or if Notre Dame transfer Christian Olsen steps in, this could be the year Virginia gets to the big money game. It's time.
The Schedule: The Cavs have several games to work out all the kinks
before a brutal finishing kick. If they can beat Clemson, they should be 5-0
going to Florida State. At worst, they should be 6-1 before dealing with Maryland,
Miami, at Georgia Tech and at Virginia Tech. The non-conference schedule,
with the exception of the Syracuse game, should be a breeze.
Best Offensive Player: Junior TE Heath Miller. The even odds favorite
to win the Mackey Award, Miller will be the main receiver in the attack after
leading the Cavaliers with 70 catches for 835 yards and six touchdowns. He
isn't just a receiver growing into a devastating blocker.
Best Defensive Player: Sophomore LB Ahmad Brooks. DE Chris Canty and
Brooks will be in a battle to see who the higher draft pick will be next year.
Brooks had a huge freshman season making 117 tackles and four sacks with great
speed, hitting ability and range.
Key player to a successful season: All eyes are on the quarterback
situation, but that will work itself out and turn out to be fine. The real
Achilles heel could be the secondary if all the great young players don't
come through. Sophomore corners Tony Franklin and Marcus Hamilton have to
quickly become lock-down players who take advantage of a great pass rush that
will make every quarterback hurry. Running back Marquis Weeks has to shine
at one safety spot, and Jermanine Hardy has to overcome a knee injury at the
other.
The season will be a success if ... Virginia wins the ACC title. Or at least a piece of it. The Cavs can probably handle one league loss, as long as it's not to Miami or Florida State, and still win the title. The lines are too good and there's too much overall talent to hope for anything less than a championship.
Key game: Nov. 6 vs. Maryland. While Virginia wants to challenge Florida
State and Miami for the ACC title, it has to also prove it's good enough to
beat a good Maryland squad. With the Canes coming up the following week and
with road games at Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech to finish things up, the
Cavs have to find a way to come out with a win.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Third quarter scoring: Virginia 102 - Opponents 47
- Fourth down conversions: Virginia 14 of 16 (88%) - Opponents 11 of 20 (55%)
- Sacks: Virginia 27 - Opponents 12
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