This week we sniffed hind quarters (damn that was redneck) with Rob Mahini from TheSabre.com. You can check out our answers here.
1.) You guys are .500 too, albeit under different circumstances. Whereas Clemson was supposed to be great, you guys were braced for a down year. How satisfied are you with your team considering most people’s expectations, and do you think there is any serious possibility that your administration will fire a coach who was named ACC Coach of the Year the previous year?
I guess when you lose a game to Duke, expectations change. We were braced for a down year, but a losing-to-Duke year? And then Groh followed that up with a winning streak in the middle of the season that nobody expected. Then he lead the team to a two-game losing streak. It’s been a roller coaster ride and I think a lot of fans are just tired of the ride. However, oddly enough, we’re still in contention for the Coastal title, so that’s been a nice distraction.
Groh is in no danger of getting fired. AD Craig Littlepage recently said that Groh is definitely returning, so there’s no doubt on that front. In fact, I’ve been saying for years that Groh is protected from losing his job because of the huge buyout provision in his contract, the change-averse nature of the administration, the endless stream of justifications for his mediocre seasons, and the occasional Coach of the Year curve ball. The man has nine lives. Sound familiar?
2) The Lalich situation got a little ridiculous. Were folks happy to see him go after being such a dummy or were most people upset about his leaving?
At first, the fans were pretty angry. They thought that Lalich didn’t get enough of a second chance and that the administration forced Groh’s hand. Then, we learned that Lalich appeared to have burned through a number of second chances. I don’t want to get into rumor mongering, but let’s just say there were some Facebook pictures that didn’t exactly jibe with the terms of his probation. At this point, I think fans understand that the best thing was for him to start anew elsewhere, but they’re disappointed that the star-to-be turned into such a basket case.
3) Where will your big plays come from on offense? What one player can change the game?
Cedric Peerman (RB) has shown the best ability to game change for us. In a number of games during that winning streak, he’s ripped off long demoralizing runs that made the difference. I’ll say that Kevin Ogletree (WR) is a close second. He is Virginia’s first true wide receiver threat in a long time, and QB Marc Verica has a knack of bombing touchdown passes to the ‘Tree.
4) What’s the strongest unit (DL, LB, DB) on the defensive side of the ball for Virgina? Who should we keep our eyes on?
It better be linebacker, since we run the 3-4. Clint Sintim has been a beast this year, and his crew has done a good job making up for some of the deficiencies in the front 3. The DB’s are much better than in the past, because some of the younger guys like Ras I-Dowling and a much better Vic Hall are actually covering guys downfield, but it’s still a bit suspect in the pass coverage game.
5) What’s your take on the outcome this Saturday? Be brutally honest with us.
It’s a tough call, but I think Virginia prevails. The Hoos are tough at home and have a lot to play for right now. No offense, but I think Clemson is in a bit of disarray given the coaching search and the whole blowing-the-season thing, so I’d be surprised if they can pull off a road win at this point in the season. If UVa gets solid play from Peerman and Verica, and the defense bends but doesn’t break, I think Virginia gets bowl eligible on Saturday. And then we’re set for a bottom tier ACC bid: the Eagle Bowl!
1Penthouse Tiger
on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:41 pm:
a deficient d-line that runs only 3 people… so maybe we’ll only allow 3 sacks this game?
2VladimirUlianov
on Nov 21, 2008 at 9:32 am:
“I think Clemson is in a bit of disarray given the coaching search and the whole blowing-the-season thing”
Really? Ya think so? Thanks Captain Obvious.
3Willy Mac
on Nov 21, 2008 at 9:43 am:
Any ideas what the Eagle bowl is? Any idea if that’s a joke? If so, how is it funny? Someone ’splain please.
4Tully
on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:10 am:
“No offense, but I think Clemson is in a bit of disarray given the coaching search and the whole blowing-the-season thing, so I’d be surprised if they can pull of a road win at this point in the season.”
Uh, we did just that 2 weeks ago, you dildo.
5Chili
on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:16 am:
Lot of harshness in these comments.
6Willy Mac
on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:53 am:
We’re talking about unchecked aggression here, dude.
7Tully
on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:48 am:
Well what the fuck, if you’re going to make a prediction based on recent history, KNOW YOUR FUCKING RECENT HISTORY!!!! It’s clear he did very little research on Clemson and just went off ESPN or other national media’s coverage of Clemson’s season so far this year. Fuck that guy. I can’t use apostrophes.
8Tully
on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:54 am:
Okay I was a little harsh, I apologize for my comment 6 minutes ago. I still think he’s a dildo. I’m raged.
9Blair
on Nov 21, 2008 at 2:24 pm:
At least that asshat Mikell Simpson is out for the rest of the season. I’m sick of watching that idiot try his best to be Reggie Bush and get outside to bust it loose for 50 yards EVERY SINGLE CARRY. CJ Spiller, he is not (sadly).
Way to get the guy from the Sabre. He neglects to mention our tight-end corps, linebacker Jon Copper (who is having a FANTASTIC year), and WR Maurice Covington.
@Willy Mac - The EagleBank bowl was just created this year to give Navy a bowl if they become elligible. The 9th best ACC team that is bowl-elligible will play them. Unless a miracle happens and Virginia goes to the ACCCG (not impossible at this point, but *HIGHLY* improbable), that is where the Cavaliers will play their postseason. If they manage to win one of their last two…
10Rawley
on Nov 21, 2008 at 2:54 pm:
Tully, the interviewee was doing the readers of this blog a small favor by giving Clemson fans his take, as a UVA fan, on the upcoming game. Sit down.
11Chili
on Nov 21, 2008 at 3:01 pm:
I totally agree with Rawley, I don’t know why Tully got all worked up over nothing.
12Tully
on Nov 21, 2008 at 3:07 pm:
LoL your bummed Rawley.
Clearly the words on your naked lady machine are causing anguish to your frontal lobe. You missed my point entirely. If you are speaking on a particular subject, KNOW ABOUT THAT FUCKING SUBJECT.
I’m not bitching about his take on the game, I’m bitching that he made an ignorant comment about Clemson’s recent history. He said he would be surprised if we won a game on the road. I think he is going to be surprised when he shouldn’t be. We just did it 2 weeks ago.
Also, I’m calmer than you are.
13Willy Mac
on Nov 21, 2008 at 3:35 pm:
AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT FOLLOWS THE FUCKING RULES HERE ANYMORE?!?!?!!?
14Tully
on Nov 21, 2008 at 3:53 pm:
MAN DOWN! NO SHOTS WERE FIRED, DUDE.