2014
Virginia Cavs
College Football
Betting Preview
with Schedule
Kevin London is in his fifth season as the head coach of Virginia and coming off a 2-10 season. Needless to say, if there is no improvement for the Cavaliers in 2014, his job could be up. The bad news for the Cavs is that their Schedule is as difficult as a year ago, if not harder. The good news is that they return 18 starters, plenty of seniors and have some top-level recruits coming in.
The quarterback situation will likely be an ongoing discussion for fans as David Watford and Greyson LAmbert combined for nine TDs and 17 INTs last season. It’s looking like LAmbert is set to take over for Watford after a solid spring session, while Watford dealt with off-the-field issues. The Cavaliers obviously cannot Scoreless than 20 points per Game if they want more than two wins this year. The QB will be an important part to that.
Kevin Parks returns at running back (1,031 yards, 11 TDs) and hopes to match last year’s total. That will fall to the offensive line that lost a couple of interior players and dealt with injuries in the spring. The receiving corps doesn’t bring a whole lot to the table with Darius Jennings (340 yards) and Keeon Johnson (282 yards) being the top returnees. The coaches are hoping that last years’ experience will improve the passing Game all around.
On defense, it’s somewhat of the same situation with plenty of players returning from a lackluster group. At one point, Virginia allowed at least 35 points in five straight Games last year. It’s a group that likes to attack, although that hurt them more than once. The secondary returns all of its starters including safety Anthony Harris, who led the nation in interceptions in 2013.
The line is led by playmakers Eli Harold and David Dean, both of whom can get to the QB. In addition, the linebacking unit is led by two returning senior starters. The pieces are there for this team to improve on its two wins, but can they do it?
Starting the season off with UCLA doesn’t help matters, and neither does the rest of their ACC Schedule. The Cavaliers get Louisville, Pittsburgh, North Carolina and Miami at home, while travelling to Duke, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Virginia Tech. By looking at that, it’s evident how they ended up winless in Conference play last season.
To improve that win total, LAmbert will have to show something at quarterback, otherwise they’ll once again struggle to keep up with teams, especially if the defense can’t improve. Reaching a bowl Game is the goal, but three or Four wins is more likely.
2014 Virginia Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. UCLA
Sept. 6 vs. Richmond
Sept. 13 vs. Louisville
Sept. 20 at BYU
Sept. 27 vs. Kent State
Oct. 4 vs. Pittsburgh
Oct. 18 at Duke
Oct. 25 vs. North Carolina
Nov. 1 at Georgia Tech
Nov. 8 at Florida State
Nov. 22 vs. Miami (FL)
Nov. 28 at Virginia Tech