Game 1: Richmond at Virginia

Date: Saturday, September 3rd

It seems like every new head coach gets Richmond as their first test. London won, Bronco lost. Coach Tony Elliott? Big win, baby. WIN 38-10 (1-0, 0-0)

Game 2: Virginia at Illinois

Date: Saturday, September 10th

Last year we blew the doors off the Illini. Beat ‘em by like 30. Big difference this year, though. On the road in the Big Ten is no joke, plus they have a real quarterback this year. Last season, we beat up on their second-stringer. I say loss…but look, this early adversity is going to help in the long run. LOSS 27-21 (1-1, 0-0)

Game 3: Old Dominion at Virginia

Date: Saturday, September 17th

This is a dub either way, but if they do end up falling to Illinois they’re really gonna put on a show. The last (and only) time they played ODU was early in the 2019 season, winning by double digits at home. Of course, they went on to win the Coastal in 2019. Maybe we’ll see a repeat in the final year of dueling divisions. WIN 42-20 (2-1, 0-0)

Game 4: Virginia at Syracuse

Date: Friday, September 23rd

Ahhhh, so many storylines here. Where to start? Well, first it’s in the primetime ESPN spot on Friday night. Second, it’s their ACC opener. Third, and definitely the most intriguing of the bunch, we get to face off against former coaches Robert Anae (aka Dr. Bob) and Jason Beck, now with Cuse. Our offense seems made for turf, plus you just know our D is going to be fired up to hold Dr. Bob’s new unit in check. Win 24-21 (3-1, 1-0)

Game 5: Virginia at Duke

Date: Saturday, October 1

Duke is the worst team in the ACC and while they have a new staff that could eventually work, they probably won’t win a conference game this year. We always get up for Duke, too. Our defense was historically poor last year but we still shut out the Blue Devils. Win 47-9 (4-1, 2-0)

Game 6: Louisville at Virginia

Date: Saturday, October 8

First conference home game! I expect Scott to be rocking for this one, especially if we’re 4-1 or 5-0. The Cards are going to be a play-every-year team under the new schedule model — along with Virginia Tech and North Carolina — and I can think of some good memories against them. In our last two home games vs. Louisville, we had the Bryce Perkins hurdle game and a total score of Virginia 58, Louisville 20. WIN 38-31 (5-1, 3-0)

Game 7: Virginia at Georgia Tech

Date: Thursday, October 20

All the experts have Duke and Georgia Tech projected as the league’s two worst teams. The Jackets don’t have many starters returning from a year ago and their head coach is inching toward the hot seat. Virginia is currently on a two-game winning streak and they should make it three. Oh yeah, it’s a Thursday night game, so that’s fun too. WIN 30-17 (6-1, 4-0)

Game 8: Miami at Virginia

Date: Saturday, October 29

The hype train is officially rolling for the Canes and it’s hard to blame them. They have a legit quarterback, new coach, and tons of new talent through recruiting and the transfer portal. This game starts a four-game home stretch for the Hoos. They’ll get a few wins during the homestand but I can see a loss here. LOSS 35-17 (6-2, 4-1)

Game 9: North Carolina at Virginia

Date: Saturday, November 5

When I talked to Shane Simpson last year, he talked about how important the South’s Oldest Rivalry was to the team. With the momentum they’ll have built with six wins, the bitter taste of defeat from Miami, and a better team in my opinion, I see a must-see shootout win at Scott. Looking at the schedule, I predict this being the biggest crowd/best game/coolest atmosphere this season. WIN 45-38 (7-2, 5-1)

Game 10: Pittsburgh at Virginia

Date: Saturday, November 12

Pitt went and put itself back on the map last year with an ACC title. While some of the pieces moved on, it attracted new talent like QB Kedon Slovis from USC. This team is solid and one that could move the Hoos around a little bit. It’ll be a slobber knocker, I reckon. Definitely an under. LOSS 28-27 (7-3, 5-2)

Game 11: Coastal Carolina at Virginia

Date: Saturday, November 19

These guys aren’t pushovers by any stretch, but it’s the final home game of the year and a perfect chance for Brandon Armstrong to put up some big numbers toward his Heisman campaign. This game feels a little funny to me, scoring wise. Maybe a two-point conversion or safety or something. WIN 36-16 (8-3, 5-2)

Game 12: Virginia at Virginia Tech

Date: Saturday, November 26

It’s not about the X’s and the O’s, it’s about the Jimmys and the Joes. I don’t know who said it originally, but Trent Dilfer always says it nowadays. In this game, Virginia just has a better roster. Oh yeah, we’re also overdue. Coach Elliott gets a big monkey off his back in Year 1. WIN 27-6 (9-3, 6-2)

With Virginia’s home opener approaching, I wanted to talk a little about the tailgate scene at Scott Stadium! It’s not Clemson or anything, but our scene is unique in that it’s spread out between so many different spots and pockets. If you added them all up it might hit a little different. Anyhow, the Fontaine lot is free and there’s plenty of space to set your rig up and throw the ball around. For a complete map of parking options go here, it’s really helpful.

One important thing to note is that the “Wahoo Walk” is back!

“Approximately 2.5 hours before each home game, the UVA Football team will be dropped off at the southeast corner entrance of Scott Stadium off Whitehead Road. Fans are encouraged to attend and cheer on the Hoos as they enter Scott Stadium.” (via Virginia Sports)

Coach Elliott comes from Clemson where they’re steeped in tradition and pregame rituals. He’s prioritizing classic college football staples, like singing the “Good Old Song” after every game in front of the student section, and I’m here for it. It immediately makes me think of West Virginia and their “Country Roads” tradition. You can see the whole list of new additions to the gameday experience here.

Continuing with the tailgate chatter, I also learned Big Law from the Locked on Cavaliers podcast does a contest for the best tailgate. Be on the lookout for that when you’re getting loose before games.

I recently asked Natalie Fitzgerald, an organizer from a tailgate group that’s running 15+ years strong, about what makes the perfect tailgate. To my surprise, it wasn’t barbecue chicken or cold beer, but it was perfect in itself. “Good weather and set-up, but most importantly, good people and friendships.”