Virginia Football: Cavaliers to backslide in 2018 season
2018 Virginia Schedule and Predictions
|
Week |
Date
Opponent
H/A
1
Sep. 1
Richmond
Home
2
Sep. 8
Indiana
Away
3
Sep. 15
Ohio
Home
4
Sep. 22
Louisville
Home
5
Sep. 29
NC State
Away
6
Oct. 6
Bye
7
Oct. 13
Miami
Home
8
Oct. 20
Duke
Away
9
Oct. 27
North Carolina
Home
10
Nov. 2
Pittsburgh
Home
11
Nov. 10
Liberty
Home
12
Nov. 17
Georgia Tech
Away
13
Nov. 23
Virginia Tech
Away
In my previews you’ll see that I put an emphasis on defense and the kicking game winning championships. The Cavaliers kicking game ranked 96th per the S&P+ and that’s not good enough to win close games. The Cavaliers lost six games by more than two possessions but as the Cavs improve those stats will close down to closer games. Rising senior punter Lester Coleman was a second-team All-ACC selection averaging 43.3 yards per punt in 2017.
While Richmond should be a win for the Cavaliers, Indiana will be a much tougher opponent and a possible loss on the road early for UVA. The Cavs could follow that with a home losses to Frank Solich‘s Ohio Bobcats and the Louisville Cardinals before a tough away game at NC State in Raleigh.
Coming off of a bye the Hoos host the Miami Hurricanes before traveling to Duke which are both possible losses. A home stretch against UNC, Pittsburgh and Liberty could pull UVA up to 2-1 before away games at Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech close out the season.
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It’s hard to predict what UVA will do with a new quarterback and trying to replace Kizer and Blanding. While Mendenhall’s staff will improve the Cavaliers on and off the field their schedule is going to be tough in 2018. I can see the Cavaliers actually playing better football but losing an extra game because of the growing pains at quarterback.