Analysis Features 
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Analysis Features
On an evening where all three operations had enough breakdowns to cost Virginia a critical road win, all three groups got it together in the final three minutes Saturday to eke out a victory. The defense got the stop it needed. The offense executed a virtually flawless two-minute drill to set up the game-winning field goal. Vic Hall bookended the offense's final drive with two supreme special teams plays and Chris Gould did the rest.
On paper, Virginia is the clear favorite against Middle Tennessee State this weekend. The Hoos have the edge in virtually every statistical category. That's a fact that extends to special teams where UVa holds a statistical advantage in field goals, net punting, punting, punt returns, and kickoff returns. Will the Cavaliers be able to take advantage of the situation?
Three straight wins. Better execution for the offense. A turnover that led to a score for the defense. More passes downfield. A decent special teams day. Three straight weeks of improving grades? Who got an A? What about Jonathan Stupar and the tight ends? The marks are in for the Georgia Tech victory.
During Saturday's game against Georgia Tech, a muffed Yellow Jacket punt return led to a fumble and Virginia recovered the football. On the next play, the Hoos scored the go-ahead touchdown that led to the eventual 28-23 win. Aaron Clark and Trey Womack played a key role on the play by delivering a hit and falling on the ball, respectively. How did it all unfold?
When Virginia coach Al Groh talked about Georgia Tech earlier this week, he quickly used "unique" as one word to describe the team. While that description applies to many aspects of GT's club, it is the perfect adjective for the Yellow Jackets' special teams. After all, UVa fans won't see another punt formation like the one headed to Charlottesville this weekend.
Virginia's 22-20 win over UNC on Saturday displayed some encouraging improvements as well as some continued concerns. On both sides of the ball, the run game and run defense performed well. Causes for concern? Fumbles, penalties, pass defense, and red zone offense. Let's see how the grades shake out after the Carolina contest.
After a disappointing loss to open the season, Virginia has picked up two straight wins against Coastal Division foes. The two ACC wins followed a similar formula: get an early lead, fend off a rally, and come up with enough key plays to prevail. Against North Carolina, some of those important moments were shared by a number of Cavaliers.
Special teams rule No. 1 this week: Avoid Brandon Tate. The North Carolina junior is dangerous and can change the game in the return categories if you let him. Doubt it? He's already UNC's career record holder for kickoff returns for touchdowns. UVa needs to prevent him from becoming a factor this weekend and it looks like a different cast of characters may get to tackle that daunting task since the Hoos have retooled the special teams this week.
Last week it was the Virginia offense that left a disgusting aroma in the Laramie sky. Saturday against the Blue Devils, the Virginia special teams took the "skunk award" by stinking up the Carl Smith Center to the tune of three turnovers, a blocked punt, a fake punt conversion allowed on fourth down, and a blocked field goal, all of which led to Duke's 13 points. The Cavalier special teams were inexcusably bad - bad to the point of almost costing Virginia the game. Needless to say, the grade reflects the effort.
Who had the best marks? Chris Long and defensive line. Check out all of the grades.
In last week's loss to Wyoming, Virginia's special teams units easily stood out as the most productive in the contest. After all, the only points came from a Chris Gould field goal and punter Ryan Weigand spent the afternoon booming kicks through the thin air. Back on the East Coast, Duke struggled with much of its special teams' effort. With two offenses still waiting to get on track, the spotlight could be on special teams this weekend.
Coach Al Groh once said that the most hated guy by NFL players is the guy in the media that does game grades. Truthfully, readers sometimes find more to object to than agree with when it comes to grades. I guess that's makes this one of the less desirable pieces to write since no one is apparently happy with the conclusions. It's probably safe to say, however, that few will object with this fact: this week's grades aren't very good.
It's no secret that Virginia is armed with a fleet of talented tight ends. Tom Santi, Jonathan Stupar, and John Phillips are all proven performers while Joe Torchia is among a strong group of understudies. As matter of fact, Santi and Stupar are UVa's two returning leaders in the passing game. So how can the Hoos use these players' skills? One way is through the tight end seam route.
The 2006 campaign for the Wyoming offense was almost a mirror image of the Virginia season. Both teams replaced their starting quarterback's mid-way through the year and saw steady improvement as the campaign progressed. The Cowboys are stocked at the skill positions, but will that matter with a relatively inexperienced offensive line?
When it comes to special teams, a lot of things have changed since last season's meeting between Virginia and Wyoming. The kickoff line has moved back five yards. The Cowboys' Aric Goodman has left the program and the school. UW's senior John Wendling is also gone. UVa's Chris Gould no longer handles the bulk of the punting duties. Despite all of the changes, however, special teams should play a key role for the second straight season in this match-up.
This is not the first time a Virginia baseball club has seen this. In 2004, the Cavaliers watched the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrate a regional victory on the Bermuda turf of Davenport Field. Last year, they watched the South Carolina Gamecocks party their way to the Super Regionals on that same turf. Tuesday, it was Oregon State high-fiving after its ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament elimination game victory.
So what happened this time?
If there is one question that I simply am unable to avoid answering on the boards, it is "Where would you slot this guy?" Like a moth to a flame, a sailor to the call of the Sirens, or Mikeysurf to a post about the offensive line, I simply am unable to resist the temptation. So when The Sabre asked if I wanted to put together a quick article on the subject of slotting as it relates to the incoming class, the answer was a foregone conclusion. While the decision on Peter Lalich is obvious, a few positions may surprise you. Let's dive in.
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