As a fan of the University of Virginia football team, I can understand why there is frustration in Charlottesville. The team has not exactly had a recent past filled with success. During the final years of the Al Groh era, the rumbles and murmurs were heard about how poorly the team had looked and was competing.
When Mike London took the position and posted a 4-8 record in his first season during 2010, there was a realization that it was going to take time for the ex-police officer to turn the Cavaliers program around because of the state the team was in when he took over.
The following year, the Cavaliers team was 8-4 and went to a bowl game for the first time since 2007, but last year, the team went backwards with another 4-8 season and once again the rumbles began. "Mike London is in over his head", "He doesn't have what it takes to coach at this level", and other not so nice things were said about the head man.
During the offseason, London essentially rebuilt his entire coaching staff and with a pretty stout recruiting class, and a pair of five star commitments lined up for the Class of 2014, the hope level had once again risen. Following the team's opening victory over Brigham Young, the newly found vibrance continued to fill the air. It was after the 59-10 drubbing the team took against #2 ranked Oregon that the chatter started once again.
The fan base has to be more understanding of where the team is collectively rather than focusing on one loss to a group that almost every team in the nation is left baffled by. After the opening win, I left the stadium with questions about the team. I liked what I saw from the new offensive coordinator in terms of play calling but I wasn't exactly impressed with the performance of starting quarterback, David Watford.
On the contrary, often times I heard praise from others about how great he did and how he was going to be a solid leader for the group. I have no doubts that he has the potential to be a strong asset to the team, but I wasn't convinced after that one game.
When the team hosted Oregon two weeks ago, I had a fan two rows behind me constantly throw negatives at the team. He covered almost the entire scope from the coaching staff, the players, and every phase of the game. I don't understand how one can be so dismal about this season after playing two games, both of which were against very formidable opponents.
I imagine that if the team wins this week, some will be ready to crown them ACC champions despite the fact that they are hosting a winless VMI team hasn't put up much of a challenge to either of their 2013 opponents. My expectation is yes to win, but also to see improvement in an offense that has been less than stellar. In my opinion, the defense has shown a presence that Cavaliers fans haven't seen in a while and should be excited about.
Even despite giving up 59 points, the defense appeared to play pretty well early against the Ducks but after repeated three and out possessions on the offensive side of the ball, fatigue set in. Against an opponent that averages an offensive snap every 16 seconds and when players get little to no rest between series, it is hard to maintain a high level for 60 minutes.
So there are no remedies to the loss other than to look for improvement. I feel that coming out of the first two games 1-1 is a victory in itself. Imagine if UVA was 0-2 at this point, the public would have London on a plane to China at this moment. I believe the relative success early combined with the offseason acquisitions will bode well for this team as they move forward.
No, I don't expect a string of 10 wins to close out the year but I do think that the team has an opportunity to return the bowl scene once again and improve on last years' record. After VMI, the team faces the likes of Pitt, Ball State, Maryland, and Duke. All of those matchups are winnable and if the Cavaliers can come up with a pair of wins during a difficult five game stretch to end the season, we should expect the team to finish with a strong record and spark inspiration in the pessimistic fan base.
Nothing ever comes easy but I think instead of going through the highs and lows with speculation, it would be better for us all to concentrate on what we have in front of us and look at the positives and seek improvement on a weekly basis. I think if we did that, we could enjoy a season that I am expecting to turn out rather well and maintain some sanity in the process.
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