2009 Football Schedule, Part III

I'm predicting a .500 record (3-3) through the first half of the season, which leaves six games for Al Groh to get this team to a bowl game and ultimately save his job. The ACC is going to be defined by its parity again this season, but most of the teams will be improved over the 2008 version. That is especially true for each of our opponents in games 7, 8, and 9...

Georgia Tech

With the Paul Johnson flexbone offense in its second season in Atlanta, GT will be one of the best rushing teams in the nation in 2009. Jonathan Dwyer, Josh Nesbitt, Roddy Jones, and Lucas Cox all return to power the scheme. The GT defense could be weaker than the 2008 version; with three starters (including ubertalented freak Michael Johnson) gone, the front line could be the weakness of the unit. Virginia will be the underdog in this game, but we proved last year that Al Groh has the coaching chops to slow down this gimmick offense. I think this game being played in the Hook also gives us a huge advantage --- we're usually very tough against the Yellow Jackets in Scott Stadium. I see our run-first version of the spread being very effective in this game, and I see our defense being able to slow them down just enough. GT is a quality team, and will be battling for the Coastal division championship, so I'm going waaaaaaaay out on a limb predicting a win here. But a win I will predict. Hoos 24, GT 19.

Duke

At 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference, we're going to start feeling a little bit optimistic. Adding fuel to that fire will be Dook's visit to CVille in what will be for all intents and purposes a revenge game for the Hoos. Make no mistake, Duke is improving under Cutcliffe, and they have the best QB in the ACC in Thaddeus Lewis and a dynamic option at tailback in Re’quan Boyette (returning to the team after a knee injury wiped out his 2008 campaign). However, this team features a rebuilding o-line and a defense that loses eight starters. The overall talent level is improving at Duke, but there's no reason we shouldn't win this game at home... especially considering the embarrassing 31-3 whipping they laid on us last year serving as ample motivation for the team. If we lose this game, I'll personally escort Al Groh out of the stadium and onto the street. And I'll be rough about it. Hoos 31, Duke 13.

@ Miami

Remember the last time we played at Miami? The glorious 48-0 shellacking we provided them as a fitting closure to the Orange Bowl? Yes, I'm sure coaches, players, and fans of the U remember that game, too. This year's trip to Miami won't be nearly as fun for the Hoos. The Canes' defense will once again be fast and fierce... and a year improved from the inexperienced unit they fielded in '08. Miami's offense could be ordinary, but I don't think they'll need much offense to beat us in this game. Miami 28, Hoos 14.

So here we sit at 5-4 (3-2 ACC) through the first three quarters of the season. The last three games of the season -- BC, @ Clemson, VT -- will be clutch-cargo for Al Groh and the entire Virginia football program.

Part IV, coming soon...