Virginia 2009 College Football Predictions
Written June 26, 2009 by InfoPlays
Virginia’s season will depend on how well the offense runs the new spread attack. All eyes and a lot of the pressure are on new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon to put ACC defenses on their heels. The Cavaliers desperately need a consistent kicker to emerge after field goal woes last season cost them dearly. If these things happen, Virginia could head into a difficult home stretch at least thinking of the postseason. Virginia is listed at +2500 to win the 2009 ACC Title according to the college football lines for futures betting.
Offense: After fielding one of the most unproductive offenses in the nation for the past three years, coach Al Groh hired former Bowling Green head coach Gregg Brandon as the Cavaliers’ new offensive coordinator. Brandon, who once teamed up with Urban Meyer as innovators of the spread offense, brought his no-huddle laboratory to Charlottesville. He steps into a potentially high-powered situation at Virginia. Last season, the Cavaliers had virtually no experience at quarterback, but Brandon has three to worth with this season, including senior Jameel Sewell. He was the starter in 2006 and ‘07, but had to sit out last year due to an academic suspension. Sewell ranks 9th on the Virginia all-time passing list. Also returning is Mark Verica, who started most of the way last season, but he could end up being third on the depth chart this year.
Most of the buzz in Cavalier country is about senior Vic Hall, a record-setting high school quarterback who played defense in his first three years at Virginia. He took over in a Wildcat role against Va Tech in the 2008 finale and delivered a jaw-dropping performance. Whoever starts under center will be well-protected behind a line that returns four starters, led by senior tackle Will Barker. Mikell Simpson, who had a monster sophomore year before taking a step back last season, appears to have returned to form. There’s plenty of speed at receiver, including Darrell Green’s son, Jared, ready for the wide-open spaces of the spread.
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Defense: There’s no doubt that this is the strongest secondary in the Groh era. It came along at a good time because there are a lot of new faces at key linebacker positions. Senior Chris Cook returns at one corner, while Ras-I Dowling is back at the other. Chase Minnifield is experienced at the position as well, giving the Cavaliers perhaps the best group of cornerbacks in the ACC.
The Virginia Cavaliers lost three experienced starting linebackers. The hope is that Denzel Burrell, Aaron Clark and pass-rushing specialist Cam Johnson can take care of the outside spots, with a host of others fighting for the two inside positions in Groh’s 3-4 scheme. Nick Jenkins is back at nose tackle, and talented sophomore Matt Conrath is back at end, giving the Cavaliers some stability along the line. Groh takes over as defensive coordinator this season, and he also hired former UVA All-American Anthony Poindexter to take over as secondary coach and to light a fire in this unit.
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