The most critical game in Tony Elliott’s tenure as the UVA Football head coach is Saturday evening in Scott Stadium.
Because UVA couldn’t quite finish the job down in Raleigh a couple of weeks ago, the Cavaliers, now 2-1, face an almost must-win contest with Stanford.
The two wins: layups, against a bad Coastal Carolina squad and an FCS school, William & Mary, which is also bad, regardless of FBS or FCS.
Had Virginia completed the late rally against NC State, then 2-1 is 3-0, and the must-win scenario, in just Game 4 of the season, isn’t in play.
A loss to Stanford drops Virginia to 2-2, with a completely different-looking Florida State team coming to Charlottesville less than a week away.
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The wise guys in Vegas don’t see this game being problematic for the Hoos, as they are two-touchdown favorites.
I’m (as always) a bit concerned about not just if Virginia can cover the line, but can they get the win?
I keep going back to the game against the Wolfpack, who shredded the UVA defense throughout.
I know UVA linebacker Kam Robinson will be making his first appearance on the field this season Saturday, which is enormous, but just how effective he will be is the concern.
It would have been perfect if Robinson could have seen some game action last week in the scrimmage, err, game against W&M.
Robinson is certainly an impact player, but it might take some time for him to get up to speed.
Meanwhile, Stanford picked up an impressive win last week at home against Boston College, in its ACC opener.
Stanford coach Frank Reich returns to Charlottesville, where he had one of his most outstanding college achievements.
Reich was the quarterback at Maryland for his last trip to Scott Stadium on Nov. 24, 1984, in which he led the Terrapins to a 45-34 win.
That win secured Maryland’s second consecutive ACC title.
Just two weeks before that game in Scott Stadium, Reich, a backup, led Maryland to the biggest comeback in NCAA history, overcoming a 31-0 halftime deficit to shock sixth-ranked Miami, 42-40, in the Orange Bowl.
Reich would repeat that feat in the NFL when he rallied Buffalo from a 35-3 deficit in the third quarter against Houston to win 41-38 in overtime.
Reich was starting for injured Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly, who had a separated shoulder.
Here’s a tip for UVA fans: you might not want to head for the parking lots at halftime, regardless of the score.
Now back to Elliott and the importance of Saturday’s contest.
A win against Stanford, regardless of the score, and a competitive showing against FSU may keep the wolves away for a bit.
Virginia would be 3-2 heading to Louisville on the first Saturday in October.
After that game against the Cardinals, the Cavaliers have a stack of very winnable games on the horizon.
However, with an unacceptable loss to Stanford, and an expected loss to the Seminoles, and who knows what the locker-room mentality might be.
So that’s why this flying-under-the-radar game against Stanford is the most crucial game Elliott has coached in Charlottesville.
Win, and live to see another day.
Lose, and the burner starts to glow.
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