The Defining Game On Virginia's 2026 Schedule Might Not Be The One Fans Are Thinking Of

This game will hold a lot of weight.

Dec 27, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Missouri Tigers at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

The Virginia Cavaliers made a phenomenal, yet incredibly unexpected, run to the ACC Championship Game last season. This year, they're looking to return to the same position, but this time, clinch the conference title.

However, as the Cavaliers experienced during their latest campaign, reaching such a point is a tall order; they will need to defeat the top teams in the ACC.

ESPN recently released its list of college football-defining games for Power 4 teams, and Virginia's No. 1 opponent is expected to pose a threat to the Cavaliers' contention. Let's take a look at how things could stack up.

UVA vs. Florida State Will Be a Defining Game

Virginia Cavaliers kicker Will Bettridge | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

According to ESPN, Virginia's defining game of the 2026 campaign will be against the Florida State Seminoles on Oct. 3 in Tallahassee, Fla. Not only is this a road matchup for the Cavaliers, but the Seminoles are certainly a daunting team to face.

As written by ESPN, "Why not have Florida State as the season-defining game for the second year in a row? The Cavaliers' double-overtime win over the Seminoles in 2025 helped launch them to a school-record 11 wins and an appearance in the ACC championship game. Winning in Tallahassee would essentially show Virginia is not going anywhere just yet."

In 2025, the Virginia-Florida State meeting was a defining moment for the Hoos. In fact, head coach Tony Elliott stated that he noticed a sense of confidence pouring from his players ahead of this matchup.

By the end of the game, the Cavaliers had clinched a 46-38 victory in a double overtime thriller. This down-to-the-wire matchup was certainly too close for comfort, but the Hoos ultimately found a way to win.

October Will Be a Tough Test

Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott | Travis Register-Imagn Images

The Florida State game will kick off the month of October for the Cavaliers, and while this is considered their most defining contest, all of October is going to be grueling.

Three of their toughest matchups that month will be against the Seminoles, Wake Forest and Duke. The Blue Devils are the program that ripped away their hopes of clinching a conference title at the ACC Championship Game last year. The Cavaliers are looking to see redemption, but only time will tell if they can redeem themselves.

There's still plenty of time left in the offseason before their upcoming campaign officially commences on Aug. 29 against NC State, but the season has a way of creeping up quickly.