Head coach Al Groh was voted as the 2007 ACC Coach of The Year for good reason - while his offense struggled, the defense held the line. Even more balance will be the key part of the 2008 equation. The quick-footed QB Jameel Sewell soon enters his third year as a starter. His numbers have been less than impressive, but he has a knack of getting just enough out of the offense to win those close ones. The RB situation has to be revamped due to injuries and a lack of production. Expect up to four different players fighting for carries this spring. The receivers won’t scare too many defenses, but at least the offensive skill positions will be stocked with experience. The big problem for Virginia will be on both sides of the line of scrimmage - the OL needs a few replacements in the middle, but, more importantly, ACC Defensive POY Chris Long and the pressure he supplied is gone. The front wall in Charlottesville was a big part of their recent (defensive) success. In their 3-4 defensive scheme, the LBs are more than capable of easing the transition on the DL with three seniors manning the posts. Virginia finished the regular season in just about this same spot, and they will likely start 2008 somewhere near here, as well. They get just enough out of their players to keep most of the games winnable, and then they close the deal. On paper, especially statistically, this team doesn't appear very worthy of a top 25 billing, but that is how Groh's team seems to roll…they win ugly, but at least they win (set the NCAA record with five wins by two points or less). Expect some inconsistency again, but also expect another tough squad that plays 60 full minutes of smashmouth ball. Earning a top 25 ranking is going to be difficult unless they can fill a few holes on the line of scrimmage. The bad news…the home fans get a quick vision of how far the newbies still have to come when USC visits Charlottesville for the late-August opener.