Carolina opponent preview: Virginia

Saturday, Nov. 2 (TBA), Kenan Stadium

2018 result: 8-5 (4-4 ACC), beat South Carolina 28-0 in Belk Bowl.

Last meeting: Virginia 31, Carolina 21 (Oct. 27, 2018).

All-time series: Carolina, 64-56-4.

Head coach: Bronco Mendenhall (16-22 overall, 8-16 ACC), fourth season.

ACC preseason poll: First, Coastal.

Key losses: RB Jordan Ellis, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, TE Evan Butts, RG Jake Fieler, RT Marcus Applefield, LG R.J. Proctor, DT Dylan Thompson, LB Chris Peace, S Juan Thornhill, CB Tim Harris.

Key returners: QB Bryce Perkins, RB PK Kier, RB Tavares Kelly, WR Hasise Dubois, WR Joe Reed, C Dillon Reinkensmeyer, LT Ryan Nelson, DE Eli Hanback, DE Mandy Alonso, DT Jordan Redmond, LB Jordan Mack, LB Zane Zandier, LB Charles Snowden, CB Bryce Hall, S Joey Blount, S Brenton Nelson.

Top newcomers: WR Dejon Brissett (grad transfer, Richmond), WR Terrell Chatman (grad transfer, Arizona State), C Victor Oluwatimi (transfer, Air Force), DT Jowon Biggs,

Getting to know the Cavaliers, quickly

The Hoos were a few plays from a 10-win season in 2018, but closed strong with a 28-0 demolition of South Carolina in Charlotte.
Naturally, that final image has led to pretty high expectations for 2019, and rightfully so. Virginia returns eight starters from a defense that ranked 20th nationally in total defense and 21st in scoring.
At corner, Hall is one of the best in the ACC thanks to his 6-1, 200-pound frame. Interception numbers aren't huge, but broke up an absurd 21 passes last season.
The defense doesn't create tons of havoc with sacks and turnovers, but it's always in the right place and well-coached, ranking 12th nationally last season in 10+ yard plays from scrimmage allowed.
On offense, the Cavs are led by Perkins, a 6-3, 215-pound highlight machine who completed 65 percent of his attempts for 2,680 yards with 25 TD and 9 INT while rushing for 923 yards and 4 TD.
As great as Perkins is, Virginia will have to find ways to help him with the loss of a 2,000 yards of offensive production from Ellis and Zaccheaus.
Virginia is trending the right way with penalties, going from 100th in average yardage the season before Mendenhall arrived to 12th nationally last season.
Mendenhall's decision to come to Virginia seemed like an odd fit, but all he's done is improve his win total from two games in his first season to eight last year while landing a top-40 recruiting class. Not bad at all.
Virginia is led by two guys named Bryce. Carolina has two excellent defenders named Myles. This felt important to note.
Winner gets $10,000 in Vineyard Vines for the student section.
(We made that up, but seriously, sponsor the game Vinyeard Vines.)

In conclusion...

Like its basketball team, Virginia's defense won't necessarily have the most intimidating players or do anything exotic, but the Hoos will beat you down in methodical fashion.

If the Cavs can get anything at running back and receiver, they'll have a shot to win 10 games, and luckily for them, they'll have several weeks to get their feet wet before a golden opportunity at Notre Dame on Sept. 28.

At the very least, Virginia has its best chance to end Virginia Tech's 15-game winning streak in the battle for the Commonwealth Cup.

What would a win mean for Carolina?

If Carolina wins this game, it means the Tar Heels are either in contention for the Coastal Division championship or they've started to figure something out late in the season.

The fanbase obviously wants to beat N.C. State most, but this game could be most telling in terms of having a well-disciplined team and developing an offense that executes at a high level.

What would a loss mean for Carolina?

Not the way you want to start November and not something you'd like to tell recruits you're trying to get out of 757, but it's not the end of the world.

Virginia is going to be a really solid, sound team defensively and the Tar Heels haven't shown the consistency to beat a unit like that in the past two seasons.

This one isn't on the preseason list of six wins you'd make for Carolina to get bowl eligible.

Neat college football thing

George Welsh's impact on Virginia football has only been magnified since his retirement in 2000.

Only twice in Welsh's 19 seasons leading the Cavaliers did they win fewer than six games. Since, it's happened nine times as three different coaches have led Virginia to a grand total of two seasons ranked in the final AP Top 25 poll.

Oh, and the 20 years prior to his arrival in Charlottesville, Virginia won six or more games just twice.

His 189 victories between Navy and Virginia rank 25th all-time, and at the time of his retirement, was the ACC's all-time wins leader.

Welsh, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, passed away in January at 85.

Virginia To Host George Welsh Tribute April 27
Details: https://t.co/2HsCYJfDyt pic.twitter.com/qbWa1e3l6h
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) January 15, 2019

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