Ranking The ACC Coastal Division Teams: Virginia

Move over Ted Roof. There is another ACC coach on the hot seat. Virginia head coach Al Groh in his seventh season is feeling the heat also. Groh whose record is 42-33 at Virginia is coming off a 5-7 2006 season. Even though the Noles were struggling last year, they managed to manhandle Virginia 33-0.

The Cavaliers lost thirty-five lettermen and will return nineteen for the 2007 season. That is more starting lettermen than any other school. They will start the 2007 season having lost only three starters which is definitely a positive for the team.

2006 saw the Cavs with an anemic offense that ranked 113 out of 119 Division 1-A teams. In all, 10 starters return to a defensive unit which ranked 17th nationally in total defense.

Defensive ends Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald combined to make 24 tackles for loss. Long was named to the 2nd-team All-ACC honors, while Fitzgerald was named a first team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News and the AFCA In addition, all four starting linebackers return from last fall including Clint Sintium, Jermaine Dias, Jon Copper and Antonio Appleby. On offense, all five starters return to the line including sophomore Will Barker, who was named a second-team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News. Quarterback Jameel Sewell started the final nine games and was named an Honorable Mention Freshman All-America by The Sporting News.

So what is in store for 2007? The Cavs have an early decent schedule and should be able to accumulate some wins at the beginning. The end of their schedule looks more ominous as they have Wake Forest and Miami and conclude with Virginia Tech at home. This year should be better than last and if it isn't Groh may be getting more heat than he can stand.

FSU It's Time Ranking Prediction: Virginia should be able to finish ahead of Duke and North Carolina in their division. I think they will finish #4 in the Coastal Division.