With less than a month until the August 22nd showdown between Virginia and Colorado State, thoughts begin to turn to long bombs, breakaway runs, hard hits and a roaring Scott Stadium.
But before you transport yourself to one of those lovely bleachers, with a "Pepsi" in hand surrounded by sun dresses and orange bow ties, one question needs to be answered. After a tough 5-7 season, what type of squad will Virginia faithful have to cheer on?
The buzz about the Virginia program centers on the phenomenal recruits that Al Groh and company found to commit to the Wahoos.
The top 10 recruiting class has an all star lineup: linebackers Ahmad Brooks (who could end up at Fork Union Military Academy this season because of academic reasons) and Kai Parham; running backs Michael Johnson and Tony Franklin; wide receiver Ron Morton; left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson; defensive backs Stefan Orange and Marcus Hamilton and quarterback Anthony Martinez.
So thanks to Groh, the Virginia future seems well taken care of as the pieces of the puzzle that will take the Cavaliers to a place of national prominence start to fall into place.
But while he may have dreams of the future direction of the Virginia program, Groh must worry about the Cavalier present. And with a monster schedule ahead of them, he might have a lot to worry about.
Unlike the Virginia men's basketball team, the football team will face a cupcake-free schedule. In their 13 scheduled games, nine will pit Virginia against teams that made bowl games in 2001. This tough schedule will force the Cavaliers to play to their potential every Saturday. Consequently, there will be little room for growing pains for the true freshmen, a dozen of whom Groh said will receive playing time this season.
Thankfully, one story surrounding the Cavaliers that will no longer be a problem is the quarterback controversy that hounded the team last season. Junior Matt Schaub will be the Cavalier signal caller this season after splitting time last season with Bryson Spinner. Spinner's transfer makes Schaub the Virginia quarterback by default. Although Schaub did pass for 1,524 yards in six starts and 12 games last season, the fact that he could not win the position last season should raise some eyebrows about his ability to lead the Cavaliers. So expect sophomore Marquis Hagans and Martinez to challenge Schaub for some playing time. But then again, no matter who is the quarterback, Virginia can breathe easy as long as they have No. 11 running downfield.
Wide receiver Billy McMullen will lead the Cavalier offense in his senior season that could possibly earn him a spot in the NFL. Last season McMullen emerged as the number one target for both Schaub and Spinner, totaling a Virginia record 83 receptions, 1,060 yards and 12 TDs for the season.
Senior linebacker Angelo Crowell will anchor the Cavalier defense in 2002. Virginia's defense, or quite possibly the lack thereof, was a major hindrance to success last season as the Cavaliers finished toward the bottom in several defensive categories among Division I schools. The defensive-minded Groh obviously realizes this and the situation should improve, considering the team now has a year under its belt with the new defensive schemes.
So with this column almost over the question still remains - what can we expect from these Virginia Cavaliers? In the second season of the Groh rebuilding project, Virginia certainly isn't helped by having to take on one of the nations most difficult schedules in the country with a team that will throw true freshmen on the field like they are seniors. In the seemingly shaky, but still yet indeterminate Virginia season, one thing does remain especially certain, it should be fun to watch, so pass me a "Pepsi."
(Jonathan Evans can be reached at jre3z@virginia.edu)
Read More
Football lands three additional transfers
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayOne common trait that stands out with this most recent batch of transfers is size.
Men’s basketball suffers road drubbing versus California
By Emory Huffman | YesterdayVirginia submitted another rudderless performance.
