William and Mary is no slouch, not that UVA fans need a reminder. In their previous meeting (2009), Virginia committed roughly a bajillion turnovers while attempting a QB carousel en route to an embarrassing start to a forgettable season (and final one for coach Groh). William & Mary quarterback (and fellow former Joe's softball bat boy) R.J. Archer established a tone of mature and patient domination by a severely less-talented team.
This year's Tribe should be better than the 2009 version, featuring All-American tailback Jonathan Grimes and UNC-reject-little-brother-of-a-donkeymutant Mike Paulus at quarterback. The returning CAA champions feature a solid defense as well, so this will be a stiff opening test for Mike Rocco and the Hoos. However, I wouldn't call it a "trap game." I fully expect the Cavs to be well aware of the challenge the Tribe presents and prepared to take this first game as serious competition.
Virginia features a mixture of experience and transition throughout its depth chart and while having a veteran secondary, OL, and DL will definitely help - the severity of the situation at quarterback cannot be understated. Simply put, UVA cannot afford another Olsen/McCabe/Sewell debacle (or Hall/Sewell for that matter) to begin the season. Rocco needs to grab onto the starting job and excel. At the very least, he'll need to effectively manage the game by making the right decisions and avoiding turnovers.
That being said, there's one HUGE difference between this year's team and 2009's: the coaching staff. Last season may have been full of almost-wins and large losses, but let's remember that in one off-season, Bill Lazor turned the most offensively-inept BCS program in the history of competitive amateur sports into a solid, TD-producing offensive system. Sure, there were a ton of issues - but good lord what a difference from the Mike Groh/Greg Brandon faux spread failure. Bottom line: our coaches are going to have this team prepared.
Say it with me: "We will NOT lose to this! We will NOT lose to this!"
Virginia features a mixture of experience and transition throughout its depth chart and while having a veteran secondary, OL, and DL will definitely help - the severity of the situation at quarterback cannot be understated. Simply put, UVA cannot afford another Olsen/McCabe/Sewell debacle (or Hall/Sewell for that matter) to begin the season. Rocco needs to grab onto the starting job and excel. At the very least, he'll need to effectively manage the game by making the right decisions and avoiding turnovers.
That being said, there's one HUGE difference between this year's team and 2009's: the coaching staff. Last season may have been full of almost-wins and large losses, but let's remember that in one off-season, Bill Lazor turned the most offensively-inept BCS program in the history of competitive amateur sports into a solid, TD-producing offensive system. Sure, there were a ton of issues - but good lord what a difference from the Mike Groh/Greg Brandon faux spread failure. Bottom line: our coaches are going to have this team prepared.
Pierce's Preseason Pick: Victory. Rocco should get enough practice and confidence (it's growing daily) to manage Lazor's gameplan on the field. My biggest concern is actually the run defense. Last year, UVA made opposing RB's look like Gale Sayers, but another year in the 4-3 system can go a long way. This game should be close, but the Hoos should win. Should.
Say it with me: "We will NOT lose to this! We will NOT lose to this!"
When my brother took a tour of William and Mary has asked about the football team. The tour guide said "Oh yeah, we are actually playing a game right now." Apparently you could walk around that whole place and never know. In case we needed any more shame from that loss.
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