The Virginia football team looks to rebound after two straight losses as it hosts Florida State on Saturday night at Scott Stadium. However, a win for the Cavaliers this weekend will be no easy task.
Since entering the ACC in 1991, Florida State (3-2, 2-1 ACC) has won 10 straight conference titles. Before this season, the Seminoles had lost only two conference games, including one at Virginia (3-3, 2-2) in 1995.
Yet this year's squad does not seem to be as dominant. The Seminoles have dropped two of their last three games, including a 41-9 loss at North Carolina on Sept. 22. However, Florida State is still a dangerous team.
"Obviously, any time you play this team, it's gonna be a significant challenge," Virginia coach Al Groh said.
Florida State's main problem has been turnovers. Redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Rix threw four interceptions last week against Miami in the Seminoles' 49-27 loss, and had two crucial fumbles against the Tar Heels when FSU lost, 41-9.
Rix "seems to have freshmen mistakes," Groh said. "As has been well-established by his predecessors, quarterbacks in that offense have a lot to do. There is a lot thrust on them right away."
In contrast, Virginia quarterback Matt Schaub has provided a bright spot for Virginia's offense. In two consecutive losses, Schaub has performed impressively. Most recently, he threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns in Virginia's 30-24 loss to North Carolina last week.
"I think Schaub is very good," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said. "There are so many good passers out there, and so many good receivers out there, that they're everywhere. Virginia is no exception."
This season, one of those good receivers has been Virginia's Billy McMullen. The junior wideout leads the ACC in yardage and receptions. He caught 11 balls for 122 yards against the Tar Heels.
"McMullen is probably the starting place of their receiving core," Bowden said. "He's a big, strong receiver who can take the ball from you. It will be difficult to hold him."
Although Schaub and McMullen have sparked the Virginia offense, the defense must step up for the Cavaliers to beat Florida State. After a strong start, the Cavalier defense has been a weak spot as of late, giving up 477 yards against North Carolina.
"Defensively, I think we've leveled off in the last two weeks," Groh said. "We need to accelerate our development if we want to make progress in the second half of the season."
Florida State presents great problems for Virginia's defense because of the speed and mobility of many Seminole players.
"I've been to some of their workouts and it's like an AAU [track] meet," Groh said. "It really is. There is one fast player after another."
Bowden's ability to take advantage of this speed in his offense has produced a winning combination for years.
The Seminoles run "a lot of vertical patterns - just what you might expect," Groh said. "They use their speed in the most dangerous of ways: vertically."
After losing two games on the road, the Cavaliers can look forward to returning home to a sold-out Scott Stadium.
"I find myself with a much greater anticipation than usual of playing...at home," Groh said. "You get a very positive lift from your home crowd."
To be successful on Saturday, Viginia will need that positive lift.
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