The Virginia Cavaliers finished the 2003 season with an 8-5 record in the ACC but recorded a very important victory in the Continental Tire Bowl game over the Pittsburgh Panthers. QB Matt Schaub led the team with his amazing accuracy and courage in the pocket and the defense was the first team in 18 games to keep top receiver Larry Fitzgerald out of the end zone. Schaub has graduated and moved on to the NFL but junior QB Marques Hagans is ready to start his own legacy at the University of Virginia. Virginia doesn’t have quite the football tradition of other big name schools around the nation but no one can argue with the talent at the school now. If they can play together as a team, they’ll be worthy of the #10 ranking I give them in my pre-season poll.

The Cavaliers are returning most of their offensive line so that should give Hagans that extra split second of time in the pocket. Guard Elton Brown anchors the line and is in his third year as a starter. He’s an All-American and will help the team in numerous ways. Running back Wali Lundy will keep defenses near the box and will open up passing lanes for Hagans to throw through. Tight end Heath Miller will give Hagans a big target across the middle. Last year, Miller led the nation in tight end receptions and yards with 70 catches for 835 yards. Miller will also be a pre-season All-American. Defensive end Chris Canty led the conference’s defensive linemen in tackles per game (7.8) and was named a captain on the team for 2004. He was also named second team All-ACC last season. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks is the emotional leader of the team even though he’s only a sophomore. Brooks is still mastering the art of roaming the middle of the field but there is no doubt that he will be an impact player for the Cavaliers this season.

The Cavaliers play in a loaded ACC conference but they’re opening schedule is one of the weaker conferences so they have a chance to post some big wins early and boost the moral of the team. They play their first game at Temple before playing four in a row at home. The last of those four games will take place against Clemson on October 7. Both teams could be 4-0 heading into the game and a win in this game would be huge for the Cavaliers before they travel to Tallahassee the following week to take on Florida State. The game is also a Thursday night game so the entire nation will get to see what Virginia can do on the big stage. The Cavs will be home to Maryland and Miami before traveling to Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech to finish the season. If the Cavs can pull an upset against Florida State or Miami, they could have a shot at an ACC championship this season. If not, it might just be another good season in Charlottesville.

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