Watford weathers harsh scrutiny
By Michael Eilbacher | November 20, 2013David Watford has found himself at the center of much of the criticism leveled at the Virginia team.
David Watford has found himself at the center of much of the criticism leveled at the Virginia team.
Considering that drawing conclusions may count as premature and that every conference sport endures a #GoACC week every now and then, we’re devoting one last edition of power rankings to the wacky tragicomedy that is 2013 ACC Football. If we’re going to wallow in the stench, anyway, we might as well do so while discussing the way “Duke controls its own destiny in the ACC Coastal” and “Virginia Tech has to cheer for Virginia this week” are real and true things.
In a season riddled with disappointment, the Virginia football team finally received some encouraging news Monday.
Another week, another loss. Another football season all but gone down the drain, and the fans are screaming for the coach’s head. This sounds familiar. Before Mike London’s arrival in Charlottesville, Virginia fans were equally outraged with then-head coach Al Groh.
Virginia (2-8, 0-6 ACC) entered Saturday’s contest against North Carolina (4-5, 3-3 ACC) searching for answers. Instead, the Cavaliers suffered another blowout loss to extend its losing streak to seven games, the program’s longest single-season skid since 1981.
Searching for a silver lining amid a six-game losing streak might seem futile as the Virginia football team travels to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina this weekend, but it is not impossible to find. Although the Tar Heels (3-5, 2-3 ACC) just registered a 27-19 victory against NC State, they lost senior quarterback Bryn Renner to a season-ending shoulder injury.
Entering the Virginia football team’s game against No. 7 Clemson, coach Mike London was tasked with ensuring that his players stepped onto the field with a competitive mindset, even against such a talented team.
In an all-to-familiar scene, Virginia was humiliated Saturday on its home turf.
Clemson (8-1, 6-1 ACC) senior quarterback Tajh Boyd led three straight touchdown-scoring drives to end the first half and Virginia (2-7, 0-5 ACC) saw its upset hopes quickly evaporate in a 59-10 loss, its sixth straight.
Football What: Virginia (2-6, 0-4 ACC) vs. No. 8 Clemson (7-1, 5-1 ACC) Where: Scott Stadium When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. The Skinny: All of Clemson’s offense runs through one man — senior quarterback Tajh Boyd.
Tajh Boyd will be facing the Cavaliers for the first time in his career and returning to Scott Stadium for the first time since he visited as a recruit.
Straight into a spooky Halloween edition of the #GoACC power rankings, wherein I compare every team to various phenomena I at least find terrifying.
Last year, the Virginia football team allowed opposing FBS quarterbacks to complete over 57 percent of their passes.
The Cavaliers tested Georgia Tech deep early and often, with David Watford slinging the ball around the field after weeks of conservative, run-heavy play-calling. They may not have hit on all or even most of their attempts, but the important part was that they were trying, right?
Despite record performances from sophomore quarterback David Watford, senior wide receiver Tim Smith and junior receiver Darius Jennings, Virginia fell 35-25 to Georgia Tech Saturday.
In the midst of a four-game losing streak, increased attention is perhaps not what the Virginia football team wants. But with their Saturday game against Georgia Tech falling during Homecomings, the Cavaliers will have to attempt to right the ship in front of expectant alumni.
Last season, junior tight end Jake McGee emerged as a star and fan favorite with acrobatic and game winning catches. As that season progressed, it became apparent that his production was imperative to Virginia’s success.
Week in and week out, our team treats us to the same performance, and we sportswriters treat you, the audience, to the same coverage. The season is not even over, but it looks to be — what a surprise, more of the same.
Because you can’t spell “elite” without #GoACC, each week we will provide conference-wide football power rankings.
The last two games have been trying for fans of the Virginia football team, but the losses may have weighed heavier on the players.