The Virginia football team faces Georgia Tech this weekend, searching for its first conference win on the season while facing former coach Al Groh.
After suffering a disappointing loss at home to Florida State last weekend, the upcoming game against the Yellow Jackets (3-2, 1-1 ACC) could represent a pivotal moment in the Cavaliers' (2-2, 0-1 ACC) season as they aspire to take control in a wide-open conference.
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson noted the two teams find themselves in similar positions - contending for the top spot in the ACC Coastal Division.
"This week is a very important conference game because the conference race has just started," Johnson said. "We already have a conference loss at home and to have a chance to compete for the conference championship, we need to make sure that we don't do that again. It is an important game for us for sure and for Virginia."
Although fans are eager to see the Cavaliers battle Groh, now the defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, the players themselves are not treating the game any differently.
"We don't think about it. It's U.Va vs. Georgia Tech," junior wide receiver Kris Burd explained. "We just go out there, and we're going to play the 11 guys they put out on the field."
The familiarity with Groh's 3-4 defense might prove beneficial for the Cavalier offense. Not only did it face the 3-4 front against Virginia Military Institute earlier this season but it also saw Groh's schemes in practice in prior years. Groh himself conceded current Virginia coach Mike London has the upper hand in preparing his team against Georgia Tech's defense.
"Clearly, the advantage is on the Virginia side," Groh said. "There is no dilemma or no secret analyzing how Al Groh thinks."
Senior quarterback Marc Verica will look to lead the Virginia offense to a more productive outing than last week's 14 points and 304 offensive yards, most of which came long after Florida State had built a 27-0 halftime lead. Verica can ill-afford to hold onto the ball as long as he did last week against the Yellow Jackets' swarming defense. Verica and redshirt freshman quarterback Ross Metheny were sacked a combined six times by Florida State while Verica was pressured to throw two interceptions.
Apart from containing the Yellow Jackets' pass rush, Virginia's offensive line will need to open up more holes for senior running back Keith Payne and sophomore running back Perry Jones. The ground game will be critical as the Cavaliers try to control the clock against a team known for its dominating running style.
"This is a game, definitely, that all three facets have to play well, because with them running the ball like that, they hold on to the ball for a long time," London said. "You don't get a lot of chances to have the ball or have possessions offensively. You have to make sure that when you do, that you have opportunities to score."
The responsibility of taming Georgia Tech's vaunted triple-option offense will fall to a defense that was torched for 296 rushing yards last week. During 2009, the Yellow Jackets accumulated 369 yards rushing in a 34-9 beating of the Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Georgia Tech senior quarterback Josh Nesbitt attempted only eight passes during that game but was able to account for 84 of those rushing yards.
"He's been their three-year starter, and he's done a great job of running the offense," London said about Nesbitt. "You get an experienced guy that knows how to do it all, knows when to tuck it and run and when to pitch it. It makes him alone a triple threat."
It remains to be seen whether the Cavaliers have learned from their experience last year against Georgia Tech's unconventional attack.
"You've got to read mostly the [offensive] line. They'll just bring you to the ball, and the fullback really tells you what's going to happen," sophomore linebacker Ausar Walcott said.
Although Virginia will have its hands full with a difficult conference game away from home, it also will have an opportunity to revitalize the season. Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. the Cavaliers will attempt to capitalize on that opportunity.
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