Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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1. What to expect at quarterback … again? A year ago, it was redshirt third-year David Wat- ford that UVa thought would use his mix of ex- perience and athleticism to lead the team back to the postseason. Instead, he struggled mightily, and by the time spring ball rolled around, redshirt second-year Lambert was the clear No. 1 at the position. The Georgia native with the big arm is now a team captain and certainly looked the part during the spring. The question remains how well he can perform on a consistent basis against pressure. Much of that will depend on the receivers, but Lambert must produce while also taking care of the ball. 2. Can the O-line come together? Losing left tackle Morgan Moses and left guard/center Luke Bowanko to the NFL Draft leaves UVa with a number of question marks in regards to its offensive line. After spring ball, the Cavaliers an- TOP GAMES 1. UCLA, Aug. 30 — If the Cavaliers are able to beat Jim Mora Jr.'s Bruins in this year's season opener, it will certainly be a welcome sign of success to come. UCLA was No. 8 in the consensus preseason rating of 15 media outlets ranging from longtime print publications such as Athlon Sports, Lindy's, Sporting News and Phil Steele's College Football to websites such as ESPN.com to SI.com. Redshirt third-year quarterback Brett Hundley — as well as Mora — flirted with the NFL before returning to UCLA, giving the program a lot of preseason buzz. Virginia's defense will be good in 2014, but it will be thoroughly tested right out of the gate. 2. At Virginia Tech, Nov. 28 — The losing streak to the Hokies stands at 10, but the Cavaliers have come painfully close the past two seasons to finally beating their archrivals. Considering all of the implications this year, there may not be a bigger game on UVa's schedule in 2014. The Hokies will once again be strong defensively, but replacing Logan Thomas at quarterback won't be easy. If the Hoos are going to steal a win in Blacksburg, this would seem like a golden opportunity. 3. Louisville, Sept. 13 — UVa's first-ever ACC tangle with new crossover "rival" Louisville could be especially important if the Hoos fall short against UCLA in the opener. The Cardinals must replace not only NFL-bound signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater and host of coaches that followed Charlie Strong to Texas, but they should still be a formidable foe. "New" head coach Bobby Petrino, back for his second tour of duty with the Cards, is known for his offensive genius and how his U of L squad matches up against UVa defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta's pressure early in the season will be fun to watch. 4. At Duke, Oct. 18 — The Blue Devils won the Coastal Division last season and had a rousing comeback in Charlot- tesville to thank for keeping their season on track. UVa, meanwhile, never recovered from losing that three-touchdown advantage and not just in that game; the team didn't look the same for the rest of the year. Given the program that head coach David Cutcliffe has built in Durham, it's safe to say the Devils will again be one of the division's best. For the Cavaliers, that game in Wallace Wade Stadium will come between two other important Coastal matchups in Charlottesville during a pivotal portion of the schedule. 5. Miami, Nov. 22 — If there's one team that UVa head coach Mike London has had success against, it's Miami. And a good bit of success has come in Charlottesville, where Al Golden and the Canes will visit this fall. Miami and UVa always play good games, and given all that will be on the line for both clubs going into the end of No- vember, this matchup should be no different. TOP QUESTION MARKS ENTERING THE FALL