The newly confident Virginia football team opens up its conference schedule tomorrow at home against traditional ACC powerhouse Florida State. The Cavaliers will try to establish their first winning streak of the season after defeating Virginia Military Institute last week 48-7.
"Right now the confidence is as high as I've seen it since I've been here," junior offensive tackle Landon Bradley said. "Everybody's excited, and everybody can't wait to play on Saturday."
This week, the Cavaliers (2-1, 0-0 ACC) will face a bigger challenge against the Seminoles (3-1, 1-0 ACC), who are seeking to validate their selection as the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Division. The Cavaliers are not intimidated by the Seminoles' reputation and are embracing the opportunity to show they can compete with the conference elite.
Bradley, for one, is eager to prove himself against an athletic and physical Florida State defensive line.
"Their players are bigger, stronger, faster - something you would see in a top program," he said. "You've got to be able to understand that we all weren't recruited for no reason. You come here with the mindset that you can play with the best and that's what we're going to do."
Although the matchup will serve as a measuring stick for many of Virginia's players, the game also marks coach Mike London's first conference bout since he took the reins of the program. Standing on the opposite sideline will be Florida State's own first-year head coach, Jimbo Fisher. Fisher entered the season under different circumstances than London, however, as he took control of a team loaded with talent after the legendary Bobby Bowden retired.
"Well, I'm sure coach Fisher has his own way of doing things," London said. "He's got some new staff members.
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