Bet Virginia Cavaliers – London Faces Rebuilding Year At Virginia In 2010

2009 Virginia Cavaliers Betting Recap

Online betting players had no reason to have faith in Virginia from the beginning of the season, starting with a 26-14 loss to William & Mary, followed by a trouncing to TCU and a narrow loss at Southern Mississippi. Things then got better as the Cavaliers won at North Carolina, Indiana and Maryland, but then Virginia ended the season with six straight losses, although four came against teams that were ranked at the time (Georgia Tech, Miami, Clemson and Virginia Tech). Simply put, the Cavaliers’ offense was dreadfully terrible in 2009, finishing 118th in the country, and it spelled the end of the Al Groh era as Groh was fired after nine years in Blacksburg. The offensive line was horrendous against the run and the pass, quarterback Jameel Sewell spent much of the season running for his life. This wasted a decent year for the Virginia defense, which was 52nd in the country, and they were 23rd against the pass. Of course, that number is slightly misleading as the Cavaliers were 95th against the run, and they were gouged for 298 yards on the ground by Virginia Tech in the finale.

2010 Preview To Bet Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have been handed over to Mike London, who did a great job at Richmond, so his knowledge of the area should help in recruiting local kids to come to Virginia. He has six starters back on each side of the ball, and two more on special teams, but London shouldn’t have high expectations in 2010 until he can get more of his recruits on the field. The offensive line receives some help as Oday Aboushi is ready to step in, because if the Cavaliers aren’t improved up front, it’ll be a long season for Marc Verica, who takes over for Sewell at quarterback. Verica is no spring chicken as he was forced into work as a freshman due to injury, but he didn’t play a lot last year, so this is a massive season for the junior. It’s too bad he has just two of the top five receivers from last year back with the team, including Kris Burd. Versatile running back Rashawn Jackson will have to be replaced. But Virginia’s NCAA football betting odds won’t matter until the offensive line is better.

The defense should be good again, but it has to be tough to go out and play when you know your offense is probably going to let you down. They’re switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3, which means some players are in new positions, but London is banking on a big year from Cam Johnson, who moved up from linebacker to end to try and boost the pass rush. Ras-I Dowling is earning plaudits as a top corner in the ACC, and he’ll be expected to lead the secondary. Steve Greer had a monster season in the middle of the Virginia defense, and that was as a freshman.

The Cavaliers will open up the season with a visit from Richmond, London’s former school, and they’ll be out to avoid an embarrassment like the W&M loss of last season. Then they travel out to USC, and three weeks later, the Cavaliers kick off a crucial three-game stretch at home against Florida State and North Carolina, and at Georgia Tech. The closing stretch is also tough as Virginia will head to Duke, Boston College and Virginia Tech over their final four games.

You would do well to stay away from any sort of Virginia betting odds this year, as London still has to clean up the mess left by the Groh regime, especially on offense. From recruiting to execution on the field, Groh and his assistants lost the plot and it just travelled downhill. The defense is in good shape, but like last year, they could be in trouble late in the season when they realize their offense won’t put them in a good position to win. Their best chance for sports betting players to be a tough team and cover a few spreads, because Virginia won’t win many games this year: in fact, outside of Richmond and Virginia Military Institute, the Cavaliers probably won’t be a sports betting favorite all season.