89. Virginia Cavaliers / P4 / ACC
In Year 3 of the Tony Elliott era, youâd be right to expect the Cavaliers to begin looking like a winner, but with the 11th toughest schedule in the country according to opponent winning percentage, thatâs a tough ask. Their only gimme on the schedule is a Week 1 opener against a Richmond team that went 9-4 last year. Their only other out-of-conference games are against Maryland and at Coastal Carolina. Tony Muskett returns to play QB, and heâll have Kobe Pace in the backfield and Chris Tyree out in routes, but this season is going to test Virginia fansâ patience.
Virginia Win Total Odds: Over 4.5 (+100) Under 4.5 (-120)
https://vsin.com/college-football/virginia-cavaliers-football-2024-predictions-and-preview/
Virginia Cavaliers:
The argument around returning production is more nuanced than most people make it out to be. Virginia is among the nationâs leaders in returning production, but is that really a good thing with a 3-9 team that ranked 115th in red-zone touchdown percentage, 95th in points per game, and 100th in yards per play? Head coach Tony Elliott does have a more veteran roster to work with, but that is hardly a guarantee of success.
This is a team that is 6-16 over the last two seasons and keeps falling further behind the middle of the pack in the conference. On the other hand, Virginia lost by a field goal three times last season and lost by a point to James Madison. Could some positive regression be on the horizon for the Cavaliers?
Offense
UVA has a lot of returning production. Unfortunately, the one loss is a huge one. Malik Washington had 1,426 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He and Malachi Fields, who is still around, combined for over 74% of the teamâs receiving yards. Washingtonâs receiving yardage total was actually higher than the teamâs total rushing yards (1,415). If not for short-yardage back Mike Hollins and his seven rushing scores, the ground game would have looked even worse.
Anthony Colandrea and Tony Muskett had something of a timeshare, due to both performance and injury. Theyâre both back and the offensive line is a bit stronger, but a 19/14 TD/INT ratio doesnât inspire much confidence, especially with Washington gone.
Defense
This was one of the youngest defenses in the nation last season due to injury. The Cavaliers gave up over six yards per play, but freshmen were thrown into the fire quickly. Virginia also had a severe lack of negative plays. They had 11 sacks in 12 games. BYU was the only other team with fewer sacks than games played and they were in the Big 12 for the first time, representing a huge step up in class.
Not only that, but Virginia only had 14 takeaways. The defense didnât help the offense at all in the field position department and didnât help themselves by giving up 31 plays of 30+ yards, tied for 102nd in the nation. Maybe theyâll be healthier and maybe the kids will take a step forward, but a step isnât nearly enough.
Outlook
Despite all the doom and gloom written above, my projections call for 4.75 wins, so over the win total of 4.5. However, I only have Virginia favored three times and Iâm not sure theyâll be favored over Boston College by Week 6 if Bill OâBrien gets to work quickly. This was also a team that lost a lot of close games last season and their best player is now a Miami Dolphin.
Pick: Under 4.5 Wins
Stuff like this is how I know I am a deranged fan. Every word in the post I agree with even the prediction for the Under 4.5. But Because itâs coming from an outsider Iâm like âwhat the eff does this guy know? Donât be talking stuffâ
Iâm all in Hoos in the playoff.
Iâm with you there⌠I read both articles⌠both seemed reasonable⌠then I saw the over/under wins and I was like âAll in on the over! Take all my money!â
Itâs one reason why I still havenât downloaded DraftKings. 
Never bet on your own team, impossible to be objective.
Sounds like Tyree back in action, but Stevens and Boley were both out for the weekend scrimmage at OL, as was James Jackson at LB, and you see quickly how vulnerable we are to starter injuries when you see who the 2nd string is.
Iâm not a big better⌠so weâre good. 
I get what they were trying to do here but this just isnât good content. Missed field goal at the end was the cherry on top.
If James Jackson were backed up by Jam Jackson, that would be so confusing. Hopefully he is.
Me when it comes to hating on our social media presence
Ha I mean the only people reacting to it on Twitter are Hokie fans
Itâs not, but at least there werenât any players rolling around on the ground hugging weights.
I dont get what they are trying to do here and agree it is awful
I keep on seeing articles for Tech being a dark horse or outside chance this year. Hokie fans are going to be even more insufferable than usual this fall.
Unfortunately I think Drones is legit and raises their ceiling significantly. Theyâve got great receivers and a good running back with Tuten as well. No clue how their OL is supposed to be, but their DL should be solid. Them adding Peebles (sp) from Duke was massive.
Theyâre very good, but I think Drones was hot with no tape on him at the end of the year and wonât get that benefit this year.
They are giving Tyree ZERO respect
On the way to the airport today I saw a billboard advertising Cal football⌠itâs a strange new world
Itâs wild. If he transferred to like Louisville he would 100% be preseason first team all ACC