Virginia Cavaliers 2016 NCAA Football Preview
VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
Atlantic Coast Conference – Coastal Division
2015 Record – 4-8
ATS – 8-4
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
Coastal Division #7
Conference #12
2015 Recap
Another disappointing season in Charlottesville provided the spark for a much-needed coaching change. They were ranked 12th in the ACC in rushing, their starting QB threw 17 INTs, they played bad defense and took too many penalties. We probably forgot something but you get the picture. With only one winning season since 2007 it is clear that Virginia fans deserve better. Enter HC Bronco Mendenhall who did a fine job at BYU and will now start the tough task of making this program more competitive.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
The logjam at QB got more “logjammed” when East Carolina QB Kurt Benkert decided to transfer to Virginia. Benkert joins a couple of veterans in the mix including last season’s starter Matt Johns, as well as a couple of true freshmen. MEGALOCKS ACC INSIDERS feel that the outcome of the battle will not be decided until August – but HC Mendenhall was clear when addressing the media that he was not impressed with the way the QB selection and development was handled under the previous regime. He also stressed the importance of mobility at the position. That appears to give Benkert the edge in the competition. Time will tell.
JUGGERNAUT ALERT – RB Taquan Mizzell had a fantastic season in 2015. He led the team with 671 rushing yards and 4 TDs and also caught SEVENTY-FIVE passes for another 721 yards and 4 more TDs. That is the kind of versatility not often seen with college RBs and he promises to have another terrific season.
The offensive line might be a problem. They do return three starters from last year’s squad but depth is a concern. The Cavaliers had a couple of backups retire in the summer due to ongoing injury issues. The WR corps does not look especially menacing and other than RB Mizzell, nobody on the current roster at any position had more than 250 yards receiving last season.
DEFENSE
The offense looks to be a work-in-progress but the defense could be the unit that improves significantly this season. Virginia moves to a 3-4 alignment and have a really good set of LBs including 1st Team ACC performer Micah Kiser. The secondary only picked off FOUR passes in 2015 which almost seems impossible – but yet it happened. We expect a lot of improvement in this unit. The huge worry is at DL where there are no returning starters BUT NG Donte Wilkins looks like a good fit for the role in the middle. Mendenhall has a good track record on defense so things are looking up in 2016.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This group seems pretty average on paper. They need to break in a new PK and lose PR returner Maurice Canady who had five returns for 126 yards and a TD last season.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0
MEGALOCKS says:
A new era begins for Virginia football. We are optimistic that HC Mendenhall can get this team turned around in short order. However, there are a lot of changes to account for in 2016 when handicapping the possibilities of success or failure. The schedule is some kind of CRUEL JOKE early on as they start with a home game – then travel to Oregon – then fly back across the country for a game at Connecticut. Whatever wizard came up with that deserves a round of applause. The good news is that they have a manageable ACC schedule.
Overall, we give the CAVALIERS a 5.0 ATS Value Rating (Average) this season. There is a lot of uncertainty. The best call here is to go with an average rating with the thought that will probably cover between five and seven games this season. Not an incredibly hot take but they are a tough squad to figure out right now. Virginia will be an intriguing play as a home dog so watch closely for those opportunities in the second half of the season.
Want more Virginia Cavaliers football?
Website
http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/va-m-footbl-body.html
Forum
http://chat.virginia.sportswar.com/message_board/football/
http://www.scout.com/college/virginia/forums/2922-hoonation
http://virginia.247sports.com/Board/Virginia-Cavaliers-Message-Board-Forum-16
News
http://www.streakingthelawn.com/
http://bleacherreport.com/uva-football
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/virginia-cavaliers
https://twitter.com/UVa_Football (@UVa_Football) #HoosRising
https://twitter.com/DoughtySports (@DoughtySports) Douglas Doughty