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Friday, October 24, 2008
The view from Charlottesville
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This game will go a long way toward determining the ACC’s Coastal Division winner. Tech enters at 3-1, Virginia 2-1. (Virginia Tech also is 2-1 and plays at FSU Saturday night).
The Jackets have won four straight, while the Cavaliers have won three in a row.
Jay Jenkins, of The Daily Progress in Charlottesville, was gracious enough to answer five questions about UVA and this matchup.
Was coach Al Groh’s job in actual jeopardy earlier this season? How about now?
Sitting at 1-3 and on the heels of a disappointing loss to Duke, Virginia coach Al Groh was certainly sitting on the hot seat. Losing to Duke, in the eyes of the Virginia faithful, was not acceptable. It had been four years since the Blue Devils actually beat an ACC foe.
Throw in the off-the-field problems that the Cavaliers coaching staff endured and there was ample reason to think Groh”s time at his alma mater was coming to a quick end. Yet magically, in Groh-like fashion, he seems to coach his best football with his back against the wall - the naysayers were silenced with the current three-game winning streak.
Making it to a bowl game, which would require two more wins, would likely buy Groh another year, but another loss to in-state rival Virginia Tech in the regular-season finale would make it an interesting $6 million decision for the movers and shakers.
What are the biggest reasons for UVA’s turnaround?
It is tough to point to one thing in particular, but having a resolution to the saga that surrounded former starting quarterback Pete Lalich certainly helped the program move forward. To say the least, the circus-like atmosphere was chaotic for all involved. With Lalich now at Oregon State, Virginia turned to sophomore Marc Verica, who has been efficient of late, passing for over 200 yards in three straight games.
Verica’s emergence happened to coincide with the improved play from the Cavaliers’ inexperienced offensive line and the healthy return of tailback Cedric Peerman. Austin Pasztor, a 17-year-old from Canada, was inserted at left guard, and when coupled with left tackle Eugene Monroe the duo provided running room for Peerman, who has scored four touchdowns in the past two games.
The infusion of youth on the defensive side of the ball in nickel and dime packages should not be overlooked, too. The youngsters promptly made Virginia’s defense faster in third-down situations.
Talk about Verica’s development. What is he doing better now?
After throwing four interceptions in the second half at Duke, it is safe to say that Verica is doing just about everything better.
His teammates have raved about his poise in the huddle. The coaches have praised his maturity. Fans have simply loved his humble approach to his high-profile position in the program.
Verica was sporadic early in his career throwing the football consistently. His best throws were sensational. His worst throws were wounded ducks. The right-hander has found a happy medium during the past three games.
How good is the O-line and can it hold up against Tech’s outstanding D-line?
That is likely where the game will be won or lost for Virginia. Monroe is all but a lock to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and right tackle Will Barker has improved of late, but the interior three on the offensive line have not faced anything comparable to what they will see on Saturday since the season-opening contest against Southern California.
Look for Virginia to keep fullback Rashawn Jackson in the backfield to help buy time for Verica. The Cavaliers will have a tough time winning on the road if Georgia Tech finishes at or above its average of nine tackles for loss.
I imagine the linebackers are the strength of the team. Tell me a little about them and the challenge they face in stopping Tech’s option-based offense.
The biggest problem is the unfamiliarity with the system, which has likely been the case for practically every opponent Georgia Tech has faced this season. Virginia has not prepared for a triple option offense during Al Groh’s tenure.
Virginia inside linebacker Antonio Appleby is listed as doubtful with a high ankle sprain, and if he is unable to play his loss could be magnified this week. Appleby is much quicker than Jon Copper, his counterpart in the middle in the Cavaliers 3-4 defense.
Outside linebacker Clint Sintim is one of the best in the ACC and is the heart and soul of the defense, but Georgia Tech may elect to attack Virginia on the opposite side where Denzel Burrell starts.
Regardless of the linebackers employed, tackling upon first contact will be imperative for Virginia. Far too many times this season a defensive player has allowed an opponent to escape and gain additional yardage.
Your thoughts?
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