So we may have been a bit wrong in our preseason UVA football prediction. Like good little children, we’re here to deliver our midseason report, no matter how bad the marks. While we picked the team to be 4-2 at this point, the ‘Hoos actually went 5-1, and are 3-0 in the ACC. In fact, Head Coach Al Groh’s 55 percent conference winning percentage looks pretty good compared to our 50 percent prediction record (though as of late September, Groh was still the No. 2 coach “we’d fire right now” in Sporting News). Groh can only hope that we’re right about the final regular season game—we pick ’em to beat Virginia Tech.
At Wyoming, September 1
Our prediction: W. “If Virginia can’t beat the Cowboys soundly, then something is terribly wrong.”
Actual result: L, 3-23. Something seems terribly wrong. Quarterback Jameel Sewell can’t complete a long pass, and the defense can’t stop the Cowboys. UVA falls 23-3.
Duke, September 8
Our prediction: W. “The Cavs roll amid snores.”
Actual result: W, 24-13. We were right about the win, but we were wrong about the way UVA wins. While early it looks like the rout is on, true freshman quarterback Peter Lalich has to fight to keep it that way in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Jameel Sewell had a rough start to the season—just like the football team overall. At least for now, Sewell seems to have fought off competition from true freshman Peter Lalich.
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At North Carolina, September 15
Our prediction: L. “Somehow, the ‘Hoos find a way to lose in sleepy Chapel Hill.”
Actual result: W, 22-20. The ‘Hoos almost find a way to lose—or rather, ACC refs almost find a way to cheat UVA of victory. It takes a coach’s challenge to reverse the verdict on a good field goal called bad to give the Cavs the three points they need.
Georgia Tech, September 22
Our prediction: L. “A talented Georgia Tech team baffles the Cavs.”
Actual result: W, 28-23. After a flurry of first quarter scores that put the ‘Hoos up by two touchdowns, UVA eases up and lets the Yellow Jackets back in the game. It takes a fourth quarter Tech fumble, followed by a touchdown pass from Sewell to Staton Jobe, to get the win.
Pittsburgh, September 29
Our prediction: W. “Virginia bounces back with the emergence of something called a ‘running game.’”
Actual result: W, 44-14. For the first time this season, UVA plays with only one quarterback. Groh keeps Lalich on the bench, and Sewell throws three touchdowns and runs for 64 yards in the first (positive) blow-out of the season.
At Middle Tennessee State, October 6
Our prediction: W. “A reasonable fan might ask why Virginia’s even playing this game.”
Actual result: W, 23-21. A reasonable fan might ask why Virginia has to rely on a field goal in the waning seconds to beat a Sun Belt Conference team. But a five-game winning streak sure is nice, and it puts UVA just outside the top 25.
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