Ranking The ACC Coastal Division Teams:Virginia

The Virginia Cavaliers may be competing with the Duke Blue Devils for the bottom of their division in 2008.

The Cavaliers will be hard pressed to replace All-America defensive end Chris Long and five other defensive starters.

However, what the Cavs did not antcipate was losing quarterback Jameel Sewell, defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald, guard Branden Albert and cornerback Chris Cook.

All these players were major contributors with eligibility remaining. Sewell, Fitzgerald and Cook left because of grades while Albert entered the NFL Draft. In addition, linebacker J’Courtney Williams who was the team’s highest-rated recruit in 2007 was kicked off the team after an offseason arrest.

To top off the Cav problems, defensive coordinator Mike London left to become head coach at Richmond. London was widely considered to be Virginia's top recruiter.

Last year, Virginia was the comeback kid of the year. The Cavs won five games by two points or less and played in the Gator Bowl. That was then and this year is now and don't look for any great things to emanate from this team.

The Cavs do have a great tailback tandem in senior Cedric Peerman and junior Mikell Simpson. However, they must replace their entire starting defensive line from last season.

There are those that predict Virginia could finish as high as number two in their division. I hope they will also buy my prime real estate I have for sale in the Everglades.

FSU It's Time Ranking Prediction: This will not be the year that the Cavs get close wins. This season will more than likely not be pretty. I say that the Cavs finish at # 5 in the Coastal Division in 2008.