If there's one thing I have noticed throughout my first three years at Virginia, it's that we like to get things done well in advance. Signing a lease for next year's housing? Better get it done by October. Registering for fall classes? Do it in May. Considering it's already the middle of February -- and the 2008 football schedule was released last Thursday -- we're long overdue for making predictions about next year's season.
There's been a lot of activity surrounding Al Groh's squad in these past couple of weeks. Following the loss to Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl, All-ACC offensive guard Branden Albert announced that he will forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL draft. Later in the month, the public was informed that four players -- including Jameel Sewell and Chris Cook -- weren't enrolled for the spring semester. Last Tuesday, the Letter of Intent Signing Day, Groh learned who was and wasn't going to be part of the 2012 class. Needless to say, Virginia football fans were disappointed to learn that he garnered one of the weakest-ranked classes of his coaching career.
Amid this rumor-generating whirlwind of news, I thought it appropriate to ask Miss Cleo about the prospects for next season, game by game.
Game 1: Virginia 16, USC 41
I have a hard time seeing Peter Lalich, the likely starting quarterback now that a cloud of doubt surrounds Sewell's return, topple one of the nation's powerhouses in the first game of the season. Last year we lost to Wyoming by 20 in our opening game. The year before that, we lost by 25 to Pittsburgh in the opener. Who thought it'd be a good idea to schedule the Trojans?
Game 2: Virginia 20, Richmond 16
My guess is that we get 20 points via six field goals and a safety. Considering a rum-and-coke will be much less expensive than a bottle of water purchased at Scott Stadium, more students will pass out from heat exhaustion than Richmond's total number of points scored.
Game 3: Virginia 17, Connecticut 29
I can't say the Cavaliers will provide much to cheer about in this game against a surprisingly strong UConn team. What I can tell you is that Beta Bridge will have a fresh coat of paint on it by Monday morning. Good luck thinking of something as catchy and alliterative as "Groh must go."
Game 4: Virginia 17, Duke 14
Getting beat by the Blue Devils would be more embarrassing than getting dunked on by Steve Kerr. Lalich throws a late touchdown pass to upend Duke for our second win of the season. I think.
Game 5: Virginia 13, Maryland 30
After last week's nail-biter, I would not suggest getting your hopes up. The Terps return a number of skilled players, including quarterback Chris Turner. They'll lose depth at the running back position to graduation, but I don't see us doing much in terms of slowing their pass attack. The offense will continue to struggle, and the team will fall to below .500.
Game 6: Virginia 31, East Carolina 26
I don't know much about East Carolina football, but I do know that their mascot is a Purple Pirate. And, while I don't think that our team will be as strong as it was this past year, I don't see us losing this one.
Game 7: Virginia 24, North Carolina 31
Virginia's tough conference stretch starts this week against the Tar Heels. Though usually one of the weaker teams in the ACC, North Carolina brings back an extremely talented quarterback -- Cam Sexton -- that showed flashes of brilliance throughout this past season as a freshman. I think our offense will finally start to find its rhythm, scoring 20-plus in two straight games. I don't think that will be enough, though, as Sexton's arm will carry the Tar Heels past Virginia.
Game 8: Virginia 20, Georgia Tech 29
Though the Yellow Jackets graduated running back Tashard Choice, they'll bring back quarterback Taylor Bennett and tailback Jonathan Dwyer. That, in addition to home field advantage, will be enough to topple a relatively young Virginia squad. This one will sting (no pun intended), but Groh will have his team ready for Miami.
Game 9: Virginia 30, Miami 26
The Hurricanes will undoubtedly be looking for revenge after getting embarrassed by Virginia last season in the final game at the Orange Bowl. The Cavaliers, however, won't lose three consecutive ACC games. Considering that our fans, and probably players, will be riding all sorts of sugar highs from the previous night of trick-or-treating, and that November isn't really (Miami) Hurricane season, Virginia will win this after a couple of big fourth-quarter defensive stands.
Game 10: Virginia 13, Clemson 38
Clemson is stacked, and they are only losing 13 seniors-- a stark contrast to the 85 underclassmen who are slated to return. Considering that they feast on struggling defenses (they posted 70 points on Central Michigan this past season) I don't see Virginia pulling off any sort of upset.
Game 11: Virginia 13, Virginia Tech 28
I hate to be a pessimist. But "Beamer-ball" has historically trumped any scheme Groh has thrown its way. And while the Hokies will be hurt by graduation and the draft this year, there's no reason to suspect they will be depleted to the point that they'll lose to Virginia in the season finale.
The common denominator for a lot of these losses is experience. Virginia has 52 freshmen on its roster, including the potential starting QB. Combine that with the loss of Long, Stupar, Santi, Lyles, Albert and possibly Sewell and Cook, and you have a lineup lacking the requisite depth needed to be competitive in the ACC.
You can thank Miss Cleo for the clairvoyance, but you shouldn't need her to tell you that a 4-7 finish won't send us too far south during bowl season.
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