I hardly recognized him at first. Where was the turtleneck or the sweatshirt? But the body language gave him away like an elderly woman at a David Guetta concert. With his hands resting effeminately, palms out, on the back of his hips, there stood Al Groh in all his glory. Yet there was something etched onto the face of the former Virginia coach that rendered him almost unrecognizable - a victory smile.
So what caused Big Al to unveil those long-dormant pearly yellows Saturday? A whole host of things actually: poor tackling, bad play-calling, missed assignments, giving up big plays, lackluster blocking, mistakes on third down, mistakes off the ball, not capitalizing off opponents' mistakes - I could write a 20-page thesis about all the flaws that have haunted Virginia during its first two ACC losses at the hands of Georgia Tech and Florida State. But I only have a small portion of newspaper to work with here, so let's break down three of the team's most glaring issues heading into this weekend's pivotal showdown with long-time ACC Coastal Division foe North Carolina.
1. Poor starts: Groh must be wondering whether he taught his former Virginia guys to be football players or graveyard diggers because this team keeps digging itself into deadly holes. The Cavaliers have racked up a grand total of seven points and 179 yards during the first halves of these two conference games. Their opponents? 40 points, 609 yards. Ouch.
The offense must get its act together in the first quarter. It has compiled just 57 yards and four first downs - one of them thanks to a defensive holding penalty - during the first quarters of these two games. It's time to abandon the conservative, predictable play-calling and go for the opponent's throat right from the start. It's time to cut back on all the runs up the middle and check-down passes. These guys need to start throwing a few curve balls to open up the game - how about running the option with Marc Verica and Perry Jones every once in a while? Or maybe try a reverse-throw
Read More
Virginia gets second Notre Dame rematch in a dynamic ACC Tournament bout Friday
By Michael Liebermann | 4 hours agoThe Cavaliers will get a shot at redemption against a vaunted ACC foe, in a game with serious postseason seeding implications.
Mel Josephson and women’s lacrosse prepare to take center stage
By Xander Tilock | YesterdayJosephson's ability to perform throughout a game's biggest moments is crucial for the Cavaliers.
Virginia schools can pay players through NIL, but the University should proceed with caution
By Emory Huffman | 2 days agoGiven the unique academic and athletic opportunities Virginia is able to offer its athletes, it is not shocking that Virginia has been resistant to extravagant, NIL-induced changes.
