Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/146817
perience (a post-graduate season at Fork Union Military Academy) to give him a leg up on many first-years. 5. Quarterback Brendan Marshall — Hopefully Marshall's impact this season comes mostly on the practice field, but after losing both Michael Rocco and Philip Sims in the offseason the Good Counsel product moved up the depth chart. If there are injuries or older quarterbacks struggle the three-star signal-caller will quickly become one of the most important signees in the class. Top Five Question Marks Entering Fall 1. What to expect at quarterback? Redshirt second-year David Watford will likely get the start to open the season. He redshirted last season, but early reviews have been positive coming out of practices. If you would have said a year ago that the starting quarterback race in 2013 would be between Watford and redshirt first-year Greyson Lambert the response likely would have been, "Huh?" 2. Who steps up? Last year there were clear answers as to who the leaders on the field were for UVa. Michael Rocco was a returning starter at QB, Oday Aboushi a seasoned lineman, Perry Jones a veteran back, and Steve Greer and LaRoy Reynolds mainstays on defense. Who accepts the leadership roles this year? Watford has experienced a lot though he's just a redshirt second-year. Fourth-year offensive lineman Morgan Moses may be ready to fill Aboushi's role, and redshirt fourth-year Jake Snyder could be a leader on defense. 3. Can Sean Cascarano play? The redshirt fourth-year offensive lineman adds experience and talent to the unit, but is dealing with some serious pain in his hip. Mike London said at ACC Media Days that a decision will have to be made whether or not Cascarano can play through the pain or have to undergo season-ending surgery. 4. How many first-years will play? That's always a question. Last season it was clear London would count on several true freshmen to take the field and some of them, such as defensive end Eli Harold and safety Maurice Canady, were great. Running back Taquan Mizzell might be too good to keep off the field this season, but how many others are ready to make an impact right away? 5. Can the Cavaliers catch a few breaks? These things have a way of evening themselves out, and the ball seemed to bounce Virginia's way in 2011. It looked like similar luck was in store for the Cavaliers early last season, but as it progressed it seemed like every loose or tipped ball wound up in the hands of the opposition. Good teams make their own luck, but no Cavalier would mind a kind bounce or two. The Goals For 2013 It will be a challenge considering the Cavaliers didn't load up the schedule with non-conference patsies, but one goal has to be to get back to a bowl game and prove last season was the exception and Virginia will be an annual postseason contender. A second reasonable goal, a .500 or better record in the ACC, makes the first achievable. The Cavaliers open the season with back-to-back games against BYU and Oregon, and the back portion of the conference slate is just as daunting with Clemson, North Carolina, Miami and Virginia Tech to finish up. The Cavs need to do well in the middle — a stretch that includes non-conference games against VMI and Ball State and winnable ACC games versus Pitt, Maryland, Duke and Georgia Tech. Getting six wins for bowl eligibility won't be easy, but it's possible, particularly with an upset victory or two. ◆