College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Virginia Cavaliers season with what you need to know.
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– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Virginia Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
2019 Record: 9-5 overall, 6-2 in ACC
Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall, 5th year, 25-27
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 23
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 31
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 27
No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.
5. College Football News Preview 2020: Virginia Cavaliers Offense 3 Things To Know
– 1990. That was the last time a Virginia offense scored at the level of the 2019 attack. The offense might have finished eighth in the ACC, but it averaged over 32 points per game, led the conference in time of possession, and was second in third down conversions.
It did what a Bronco Mendenhall offense is supposed to do.
However, the guy who made it all go is gone. QB Bryce Perkins was the only passer – not Joe Burrow, not Jake Fromm – to hit the Florida defense for 300 passing yards, and he pulled off one of the greatest performances in ACC history in the win over Virginia Tech. Now the Cavaliers have to find another quarterback who can move the offense like Perkins could.
Sophomore Brennan Thompson has been in the system for a few years and served as the No. 2 guy last year, but in come Keytaon Thompson from Mississippi State to make a big, big push. Thompson has the size and the dual-threat abilities, but Perkins was a 65% passer last season. The sample size is limited, but Thompson only hit 48% of his throws at MSU.
CFN in 60 Video: Virginia Cavaliers Preview
– Perkins was the team’s leading rusher, but 5-9, 210-pound Wayne Taulapapa led the team with 12 rushing scores and was second with 473 yards. PK Kier was the third-leading back, but he’s no longer with the program. Mike Hollis averaged over five yards per carry with three scores, and coming from Indiana is Ronnie Walker, a good-sized transfer who should be an instant part of the rotation.
The receiving corps loses leading receiver Hasise Dubois and the dangerous Joe Reed, but Terrell Jana can become a No. 1 target. It’s a thin group in terms of experience, but speedy Tavares Kelly came up with 14 grabs, and Dorien Goddard is a dangerous 6-3, 220-pound redshirt freshman in the mix.
– The stats don’t do the Virginia offensive line justice. There were problems in pass protection – Notre Dame seemed like it spent the whole second half jumping on Bryce Perkins’ head – overall it was a relatively effective group. Now, with all five starters expected to return, it needs to be more of a killer for the ground game and has to be tighter at keeping defenses out of the backfield.
NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Virginia Cavaliers Defense 3 Things To Know
4. College Football News Preview 2020: Virginia Cavaliers Defense 3 Things To Know
– There might be a whole lot to worry about with key personnel losses on the offensive side, but the solid defense gets more than enough key parts back to be great. Eight starters and 12 of the top 14 tacklers are expected to be back.
The pass rush and linebacking corps loses Jordan Mack from his spot in the middle, but 6-5, 215-pound hybrid Noah Taylor can get behind the line from his spot on the outside, and 6-7, 235-pound Charles Snowden is really a defensive end playing linebacker. 6-3, 230-pound Zane Zandier was second on the team in tackles for loss and he brings the inside presence.
– The linebackers are the stars and they’ll do most of the heavy lifting in the backfield, but the front three has the size to hold up and do its part against the run. Two of the three starters are done, but 6-1, 295-pound sophomore Jowon Briggs is a veteran now on the nose, and 6-1, 285-pound junior Aaron Faumui is a good-sized pass rusher on one side.
– The D was able to get through half of last year without Bryce Hall, so at least it got used to not having the new New York Jet gone. All four starters are expected to be back, starting with second-leading tackler Joey Blount at one safety spot, and with senior De’Vante Cross a big hitter at the other job. The corners have to pick off more passes, but the group is loaded with experience.
NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Top Virginia Cavaliers Players
College Football News Preview 2020: Top Virginia Cavaliers Players
Best Virginia Cavaliers Offensive Player
C Olusegun Oluwatimi, Jr.
Considering the offense needs a new starting quarterback, a few new receivers, and it wouldn’t hurt if a running back rose up and became a star, the offensive line will have to be great early on. It should be better with all five starters returning, with it all working around the 6-3, 305-pound Oluwatimi in the middle.
The All-ACC performer and former Air Force transfer is quick, versatile enough to play guard, and experienced enough to be the quarterback up front.
2. WR Terrell Jana, Sr.
3. QB Brennan Armstrong, Sr.
4. RB Wayne Taulapapa, Jr.
5. PK Brian Delaney, Sr.
Best Virginia Cavaliers Defensive Player
S Joey Blount, Sr.
You could put most of the top linebackers here, and a few of the other defensive backs will be a part of the mix, but Blount is the All-ACC veteran who’ll be a do-it-all star in the secondary.
A good three-year producer, the 6-1, 190-pounder finished second on the team with 95 tackles to go along with a team-high three pick. He can get into the backfield, too, coming up with 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
2. LB Zane Zandier, Sr.
3. LB Noah Taylor, Jr.
4. LB Charles Snowden, Sr.
5. S DeVante Cross, Sr.
NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Virginia Cavaliers Keys To The Season
College Football News Preview 2020: Virginia Cavaliers Keys To The Season
Biggest Key To The Virginia Cavaliers Offense
Get the running game going on a consistent basis. There were a whole lot of reasons the Cavaliers lost to teams as good as Clemson, Florida and Notre Dame, and it started with not being able to do anything on the ground.
A bad Old Dominion team held Virginia to just 69 rushing yards, and it kept it close in a 28-17 fight. Against the Tigers, Gators, and Fighting Irish – along with Miami and Louisville – Virginia managed fewer than 110 rushing yards in each of the five losses on the year.
Since Bronco Mendenhall took over, the Cavaliers are 4-21 when failing to get to 110 yards, and it’s 7-0 when it runs for 200 yards or more. Part of that has to do with committing a bit more to the running game at times, part of it is about being more effective, and part of it has to do with a line that has to be better at keeping defenses out of the backfield.
Biggest Key To The Virginia Cavaliers Defense
The secondary has to reverse the trend of giving up a whole lot of passing yards. Even when the Cavaliers were able to lock down the pass defense a bit early on, and they were able to win a few games when the got torched, but there were big issues as soon as November kicked in.
Virginia didn’t allow a 300-yard passing day in the first eight games, and only two teams were able to get to 230 yards. Over the last six outings – partly due to the loss of star defensive back Bryce Hall – the defense allowed 300 yards or more five times. The one outlier in the group came against Georgia Tech, and it was even able to get close to 230 passing yards.
Having to deal with Florida had something to do with it, and facing Trevor Lawrence was a factor, but going forward there’s way too much talent and experience to not fix the glitch.
Key Virginia Cavaliers Player To A Successful Season
WR Terrell Jana, Sr.
The Virginia receiving corps needs a whole slew of new parts to rise up – the second-best returning receiver caught just 14 passes last year, and the No. 3 caught three passes – and Jana will be the focus of every secondary early on.
The quarterback situation will work itself out. Brennan Armstrong should be fine if he gets time to work, and new option Keytaon Thompson is good enough to step in and be dangerous if needed. But they need someone to throw to.
Three of the top four receivers in yards are gone, and 16 of the top 23 touchdowns have to be replaced. The 6-0, 190-pound Jana busted out last season with 74 catches for 886 yards and three scores – with three 100-yard games including a 126-yard day against Florida in the Orange Bowl – and now he has to do even more.
Key Game To The Virginia Cavaliers Season
at Virginia Tech, Nov. 28
Considering North Carolina, Pitt and Miami are all home games, the Cavaliers can still be in the hunt for the Coastal title late in the season if they can own Charlottesville. But like last year, the division might come down to the showdown against the Hokies.
It took one of the best games of 2019, and a few epic performances, to finally break Virginia Tech’s hex on the rivalry. Virginia had lost 15 straight to Tech before getting the win to go off to the ACC Championship, and this time it’s in Blacksburg.
– Virginia Cavaliers Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2019 Virginia Fun Stats
– Time of Possession: Virginia 33:03 – Opponents 26:57
– Onside Kicks: Virginia 2-of-3 – Opponents 1-of-1
– Penalties: Opponents 83 for 659 yards – Virginia 66 for 612 yards
NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Virginia Cavaliers Win Total Prediction, What Will Happen
1. College Football News Preview 2020: Virginia Cavaliers Win Total Prediction, What Will Happen
CFN in 60 Video: Virginia Cavaliers Preview
Virginia is going to be one of the most interesting calls in college football – how much did Bryce Perkins have to do with the success, how much was the run to the ACC Championship appearance a little bit of good fortune, and how much was was because there was no Clemson on the slate until the title game, and how much was because the ACC sort of stunk?
All of the above.
Perkins was fantastic, there’s a date at Clemson this time around, and the ACC overall should be far better.
However, the skill parts will be okay – even if there’s a step back in overall production – and the O line is least loaded with veterans. The defense and special teams will be among the ACC’s best – at least, outside of Clemson – and Bronco Mendenhall and the coaching will be top drawer.
Even with all of the positives …
Set The Virginia Cavaliers Regular Season Win Total At … 7
Bet at BetMGM Win Total Line: 6.5
It’s a very good team, there’s no Notre Dame to face this time around, and most of the tough ACC games are at home. However, consider the dates against Georgia and Clemson as losses – unless there’s a big performance and upset – and figure at least one defeat out of the four home games against North Carolina, Miami, Louisville, and Pitt.
The road was Virginia’s issue – all five losses came away from Charlottesville – and don’t consider dates at Georgia Tech or Duke to be sure things.
Getting to seven wins and bowl eligibility won’t be a problem, and then the regular season closes out at Virginia Tech.
It won’t be another Coastal-winning season, but it’ll be another great run under Mendenhall.
– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– Schedule Analysis
