3 things we learned from Virginia’s home win over Illinois

2. Virginia looks like a contender in the ACC Coastal race

Last year’s ACC race was an anomaly, with the conference forgoing divisions during the 2020 season. Between 2013 and 2019, every member of the ACC Coastal won the division exactly once. As the last team in that run, 2019 Coastal champion Virginia has the opportunity this year to become the first repeat champ in the division since rival Virginia Tech went back-to-back in 2010 and 2011.

The biggest hopefuls in the division heading into the 2021 campaign were Miami and North Carolina. Both flopped in their season openers, though both also stayed ranked in the AP Top 25 after losing to Power Five opponents. The Cavaliers have taken down an FCS team in William & Mary and a Big Ten lightweight in Illinois.

It is still really early in the season, and the Cavaliers have yet to play a conference opponent this year. Even setting aside the quality of their opponents, though, Virginia put in two impressive performances in their first two chances to make an impression.

Before September is over, we will know a lot more about this Cavaliers team. Virginia heads to Miami next weekend for a key divisional showdown, and they close out the month with a road trip to Chapel Hill. Right now, Bronco Mendenhall’s team looks like a real threat to take down both teams if they keep playing like they did on Saturday against Illinois.