As the Virginia football team (6-3) returns to the field after a week-long break, the focus is on preparing for Saturday's matchup with No. 19 Penn State (6-3). Virginia coach Al Groh gave players an unprecedented seven days without practice during Virginia's bye week, a decision the coach felt would allow his team to rest mentally and physically, as well as get ahead academically before the crunch of the season's final stretch.
"At this stage, there is only one other team in America whose season has gone on as long as ours has," Groh said. "Getting a team rested is part of the equation in preparing for a game, and I think we're as well-positioned as we could be to have a lot of energy for Saturday."
The Cavaliers will need every ounce of that energy to contain Penn State running back Larry Johnson. Johnson's season totals for rushing yards (1,221) and all-purpose yards (1,708) rank him first on the Nittany Lions, and he is widely recognized as one of the top running backs in the nation.
"He is a dynamic player," Groh said. "His ability to run the ball can determine the flow of the whole game."
Despite his skill, Johnson is not the only Nittany Lion whom Groh praised. He also complimented Penn State's defense, which features "two can't-move guys" inside and four players over 305 pounds. Virginia quarterback Matt Schaub echoed his coach's sentiment.
"They are a good team, a big, physical Big 10 team," Schaub said. "They play hard."
In addition to Johnson, a tough defense, and coaching legend Joe Paterno, the Cavaliers will have to counter a crowd of over 108,000 in their contest with the Nittany Lions.
"We're going into the second biggest stadium in the country," Groh said. "It is different than what we've been doing, but [the crowd] is one of the variables we'll try to eliminate early in the game. All that other business is just conversation. The only thing that matters is what happens between the white lines. That's what determines who wins."
Concentrating on the field of play this week will prove especially challenging for Schaub, a native of West Chester, Pa., who grew up following Penn State football.
"I've got family and friends coming up to watch," he said. "It's going to be exciting. I've been looking forward to it all year."
Even with the excitement surrounding the Penn State game, it is nearly impossible for Virginia not to look ahead to its final three games of the season, when it will face ACC opponents NC State and Maryland, then instate rival Virginia Tech -- all of whom are nationally ranked.
"The bye week is an obvious separation between this phase of the season and those preceding it," Groh said. "It is set up to be very challenging, but a stretch run against good competition, that's the way a season is supposed to end."
All-American wide receiver Billy McMullen, a senior captain, hopes to use his leadership skills to keep the Cavaliers focused primarily on the game at hand.
"This is the final phase," McMullen said. "We know what's in store for us, but we have to go out and play one game at a time."
Despite the tough schedule ahead, Groh also emphasized that this week is about preparing for Penn State.
"I think they've found their stride," he said. "They look like most coaches would want their team to look right now."
Facing such a team on the road is no easy task, but after a week of resting their minds and bodies, Virginia players are up for the challenge.
"This is a big time team that wants to win just like we want to win," McMullen said. "This will be a test of our resolve. We have to prepare on and off the field."
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