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Mike London stepped in last year going 4-8 (1-7 ACC), but he had rather the past few seasons at FCS school Richmond. His Spiders went 24-5, including a National Championship in 2008.

The following year his team lost in the quarterfinals, but went 11-2. It was sufficient for Virginia to jump on board as he had a few stints in Charlottesville before (’01-’04 DL & RC and then again ’06-’07 as the defensive coordinator & defensive line coach).

London was a former linebacker at Richmond in the early ’80s and has been coaching ever since. He is a defensive minded, physical type that loves to run the rock and come after the passer on defense. His defense must improve versus the run though.

They were ninth two years ago and 106th last year, permitting 203 yards per game. Their front four ought to improve.

Defensive end Cam Johnson is their top dog, coming off a 6.5 sack, 53 tackle season. He is a rangy defender at 6’4”, 265 pounds who may quickly come off the edge as well as bottle up the run.

Nick Jenkins and Matt Conrath are the other two starters who must surely improve the run defense this season.

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The linebacking corps may not improve as much as the defensive line will, but they will still be solid. LaRoy Reynolds and Steve Greer are headliners on this squad as they totaled for over 100 tackles combined.

Greer and Reynolds are both solid linebackers with decent motors who may sniff out the run. They have was struggling in the passing game before, so that is their only weakness. Aaron Taliaferro also returns and in spite of only starting three games in his career, he has a lot of talent to help out the team.

Five of their top six tackles return and in the second year of their 4-3 defense beneath London, so suppose bettered production.

The secondary was injure last year when they lost Ras-I Dowling, but fortunately Chase Minnifield stepped right in and performed like an All-ACC stud. He made First Team All-ACC, rather an accomplishment giving careful consideration to he was recruited by Al Groh as a wide receiver for his blazing speed at only 6’0”, 185-pounds.

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Minnifield has liquid hips for a corner and may turn back while a ball is being thrown up for the opposition. He is a lanky athlete who may jump out of a building (‘40 Vertical). His 4.45 speed makes him not only the best player on defense, but the best player on this team and one of the finest in the ACC. 

I have Chase as a projected third-round draft pick in next April’s NFL Draft, but more significantly he is a top-ten corner in the nation and has a ton of upside right now.

The rest of the secondary is extremely pleasing as they return everybody. Incoming freshmen Demetrius Nicholson expects to contend and perchance begin right away (5’11”, 170-pounds #5 CB and a four-star according to Rivals).

Devin Wallace would drop back as the nickel back role and with starting safeties Rodney McLeod and Corey Mosley laying the lumber, this Cavs defense may dramatically improve it is 78th rating (396 YPC) from a season ago. 

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The offense will need new starting quarterback Michael Rocco to carry out as just a unfeigned sophomore. The backfield will be empty because Perry Jones is ready to carry the entire load by himself.

He ran for 646 yards in a backup role a season ago for the humane bulldozer, Keith Payne. With Payne gone watch for Jones to become to original 1,000 rusher since ’04 when Alvin Pearman ran for 1,037. 

The receiving core will have to be fine with speed demon Kris Burd (5’11”, 195-pounds). His 799 yards and five touchdowns were both in the top-two on the team. While the receiving corp is somewhat weak, they will rely much more on their running game led by their most explosive player, Jones. 

The line was not strong last season, but returns four starters this year led by Morgan Moses, who is one of the better tackles in the ACC. Austin Pasztor will likewise anchor the line as their top guard who ought to open a bevy of wholes for the backs. 

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The schedule is not inconceivable in spite of having to play eight bowl opponents from a season ago. They get four at home and four on the road. My necessary game of the season for the Cavs will be in the fourth week, which is a home tilt versus a solid Southern Miss team.

A victory there and it sets this team up for success heading into ACC play (though the former week they in all probability will lose to UNC in Chapel Hill) with Georgia Tech and NCST both coming to Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.

A split there and a win versus Duke on Nov. 12 must be their sixth victory, assuming they may knock off William & Mary, Indiana and Idaho. In what is London’s second season, there may be rather the future in front if their new starting quarterback Michael Rocco manages the game well.

Predicted Finish: 6-6, 2-6

Predicted Bowl: Independence Bowl vs. San Diego State 

Predicted order of finish in ACC: Fifth in Coastal, Eighth Overall