Virginia Football: Cavaliers could surprise, defend Coastal title in 2021

How will Virginia football fare in 2021?

The Coastal is perceived to be the easier of the two divisions in the ACC due to Clemson not being in it, but there are good teams throughout the division such as North Carolina, Miami, and Pitt.

Notre Dame is on the non-conference slate, as well as BYU, which will be Bronco Mendenhall’s return to his old job.

• Game 1: William & Mary (W) — Virginia starts the season off with the easiest game on their schedule and will win big.
• Game 2: Illinois (W) — The Illini might be the worst team in the Big Ten this season and I like Virginia to get the win here at home.
• Game 3: at North Carolina (L) — Virginia upset the Tar Heels last season, but I don’t think lightning will strike here.
• Game 4: Wake Forest (W)- Wake Forest is an experienced team and will be a tough out, but I like the Cavs at home in this game.
• Game 5: at Miami (L) — Virginia usually plays the Hurricanes pretty tough, but a Thursday night game on the road will be a little too tough.
• Game 6: at Louisville (L) — The Cardinals are a tough team to beat at home and I think Louisville wins in a shootout here.
• Game 7: Duke (W) — The Blue Devils might be the worst team in the ACC and this should be an easy win for the Cavs at home.
• Game 8: Georgia Tech (W) — The Yellow Jackets are going to be an improved team, but I think Virginia wins in a shootout.
• Game 9: at BYU (L) — I think that BYU is bound to take a big step back, but by this point in the season, they will have found their groove and they will win in Mendenhall’s first trip back to Provo.
• Game 10: Notre Dame (L) — Notre Dame is going to look like a completely different team from their playoff team a year ago, but they will get the win on the road.
• Game 11: at Pittsburgh (L) — Pitt is always a wild card in the Coastal race and they have the better team.
• Game 12: Virginia Tech (W) — I think the Hokies are in for a down season and while it has been tough for the Cavs to beat Virginia Tech, I think they get their second win in three years against their main rival.

Prediction: 6-6, 4-4 ACC

Virginia has a lot of tough road games on their schedule in 2021 and that could keep this team from being any better. Going to North Carolina, Miami, Louisville, and Pitt are all going to be tough games and home dates with Notre Dame, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech are not easy. Getting to a bowl game would be a nice accomplishment.