VIRGINIA CAVALIERS O:6 D:6

Ever since Head Coach Al Groh took over at his Alma Mater five years ago, the Cavaliers have posted winning seasons and gone bowling four straight times. That streak looks to be in jeopardy this season as many of his top players will now be playing on Sunday’s, or were kicked off the team due to school violations. He also lost a number of assistants so there’s a major rebuilding job in front of him and his new staff this season. The team returns 12 overall, six on both sides of the ball, but has some glaring deficiencies. For one, the offense will now be led by 5 th year Sr. Christian Olsen. He’s got a solid ground attack in back of him and depth in the WR corps, but the O-Line is very experienced and time will tell whether the ground and air attack will be able to succeed. Look for the Cavs to utilize a short passing attack until the new line gels. Defensively, what was once the strength of the “D” is now a glaring weakness. Both of their inside LB’s (Parham & Brooks) left the team prematurely, and that doesn’t bode well for the Cavs 3-4 attack. There are some playmakers in the front seven, but the secondary is the most experienced unit and should overachieve to mask their shortcomings. It will still be a decent unit, but will go through some growing pains. They also take a hit in the kicking department as both of their stud kickers departed, and their numbers will suffer because of it. This is clearly a rebuilding year for HC Groh and his staff, and one that will test his recruiting from past seasons. Look for them to take a couple of beatings along the way, but come back a more experienced and bitter team in ’07.