FiveDimes recently released over/under regular season win totals for college football teams.
Here is an early season look at the Virginia Cavaliers in the ACC.
Over/under
FiveDimes has Virginia at 4.5 regular season wins. Last year, the Cavaliers were 5-7 in the regular season. The line features a better return on the over at -115, while the under is at -125.
The upside
Virginia will look to build upon the start of 2014; not the ending.
The Cavaliers began 2014Â by putting up a good fight against heavy favorite UCLA. From there, Virginia won four its next five games. Then, the season’s second half started, and the Cavaliers, won only one more game for the rest of the season.
Part of Virginia’s problem was its continued quarterback controversy. That won’t happen this season, with Matt Johns as the firm starter. He will be aided by an offensive line that includes seven players returning with starting experience.
During head coach Mike London’s tenure, the Cavaliers’ defense has been the main identity. Early departures into the NFL have hurt the talent pool for Virginia, but there are still options available to keep the defense as the main weapon on a weekly basis.
With the open race for an ACC Coastal Division title, the Cavaliers should have several toss-up games, including on the road against North Carolina, Miami and Pittsburgh, and at home against Syracuse, Virginia Tech and Duke.
The downside
The Cavaliers didn’t fare well in the ACC last season. In what should have been a year where the Cavaliers competed, they finished 3-5 and didn’t factor into the ACC title race.
London will only have one more shot, so the pressure is on for the sixth-year coach. Multiple players for the Cavaliers left early for the NFL draft on the defensive side of the ball. While the Cavaliers should still be proficient on that side of the ball, it won’t include near as much talent as last season.
Offensively, the Cavaliers have struggled in the last few years, and although the offensive line should be improved, there are few playmakers.
To get to five wins, the Cavaliers will likely have to show up in the non-conference season. The Cavaliers host three games against William and Mary, Boise State and Notre Dame, while also traveling to UCLA. The Cavaliers will likely be underdogs in three of those four contests.
There will be some toss-ups in ACC play, but games at Louisville and at home against Georgia Tech should feature heavy spreads against Virginia.
The verdict
Virginia needs to win this year or London will be fired. The problem for Virginia is that it doesn’t have any playmakers and the defense won’t be as talented this season.
Add in a difficult non-conference schedule and an average conference schedule, and it’s unlikely Virginia will achieve the over. Take the under and don’t expect the Cavaliers to put up much fight.
