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Looking Ahead To 2013 There's no denying the disappointment that was the 2012 Virginia football season. After a big turnaround from 2010 to 2011, most in the Cavaliers' camp figured this year would bring another step forward. The good news is there are plenty of reasons to believe 2013 could bring another big swing in Virginia's favor. The Cavs lose just six starters to graduation and only seven total fourth-years from the offensive and defensive two-deep lineups. Some, such as All-ACC performers Oday Aboushi on the offensive line and linebacker Steve Greer, will be difficult to replace. But at other positions, such as running back where Kevin Parks, Khalek Shepherd and others are waiting to step up in Perry Jones' place, the Cavaliers seem ready to move on. And for all the good things Michael Rocco did at quarterback in three seasons at UVa, perhaps his transfer will allow the undeniable physical gifts of Phillip Sims to shine as he will be able to take over the position as the clear-cut favorite to start heading into 2013. "This offseason I have to get back to being me," Sims told reporters after the season. "I think a lot of this year I spent trying to just fit in, trying to see how things go Kevin Parks, who ran for 1,443 yards and 14 here, trying to just be a good part of this team. I think touchdowns in his first two seasons, returns to this offseason, I can take it a step further. I can just go lead the Cavaliers' ground attack. Riley/courtesy UVa photo by Matt back to being me a little bit more. Just going back to doing the things I know I'm capable of doing as far as being a leader, a quarterback, other things. "I just think this offseason is going to be a telling step for me and my progress here, just bringing my mentality here." There's also more experience on the sidelines, in particular highly thought-of defensive assistant Jon Tenuta and Tom O'Brien, a link to the Cavaliers' glory days of the 1990s under George Welsh, joining the coaching staff. Of course Virginia, which faced eight teams that qualified for bowls the previous season in 2012, will look at another tough schedule in 2013. The Cavaliers are facing a return trip to Penn State, as well as games against BYU, VMI and Ball State in the non-conference. Virginia will face Duke, Clemson, Georgia Tech and archrival Virginia Tech — all bowl teams this season — at home in 2013, while the ACC road schedule features matchups against newcomer Pittsburgh, Miami, North Carolina and one last ACC tilt against Maryland. — Shane Mettlen