- 5-3 Wake Forest at 8-1 Virginia Primetime Espn
Virginia is a top 12 team in every major poll.
- 12th in the AP, 11th in the CFP, and 11th here at SHS
But should they be? Are they ranked so highly because they are that good or because they just refuse to lose? Or is it that the ACC is so putrid that Virginia is the best they can produce? Or–are the ‘Hoos’ actually this good?
Clearly, many across the nation agree that they are good enough to rank in the twelve, but they are certainly not a powerhouse guaranteed pick to make it.
That said, if they Cavaliers can get past the Demon Deacons this weekend, they will only have two games remaining: at Duke and VA Tech Thanksgiving weekend off a bye. Virginia looks destined for the ACC Championship Game at this point, and if they get there and win it, they will certainly have earned the right to be one of the chosen twelve at the end.
Again–will they? Only the passage of time will tell, but in the present, they will have their hands full with an inspired Wake Forest team coming to town. Maybe not completely inspired as they were just drummed in Tallahassee by 35.
Maybe I’ll let that game slide since it came off the emotional win the week prior over SMU. A let down was certainly in order after the ‘win it for Russ’ game.
Now, this weekend in Charlottsville, they will need to bring the focus back to the singularity of the task at hand. The SMU win was great, it was special, and it carried with it a well-spring of emotion to pull the upset, but that was October 25th. This is the second weekend in November and it’s time to refocus and prepare for the game at hand. A game that from my estimation, looks winnable if Wake Forest doesn’t beat themselves.
THE GAME
Seventy-Two Miles from Richmond, inside a Scott Stadium Wake Forest will do their best to not just become bowl eligible, but also play spoiler to a team that is seemingly in the driver’s seat to the playoffs.
I’ll highlight two players from each that I’d like to see make a game changing play.
WAKE FOREST
- SS Nick Anderson
- McNelly Award Watchlist
- LB Langston Hardy
VIRGINIA
- RB J’Mari Taylor: 816 Total Yards, 11 TD
- LB Kam Robinson
This is a game that could be an easy 28-7 or 31-10 Virginia win or, and this is what I want to see, it can be anyone’s ball game in the fourth and Connor Calvert will have a chance to win another game for his team late. It’s not that I’m rooting against Virginia but rather rooting for Wake Forest.
If the Deacs win in Charlottsville, 9-3 and a spot in the ACC Championship game is within their grasp. A true underdog story. Who doesn’t love a good underdog?
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If you find yourself in Charlottsville this weekend, consider yourself lucky. I’ve spent about 40 hours in the town and ate it up like Frosted Flakes. The Historic UVA Campus was designed and built under the specific instructions of local wealthy statesman, Thomas Jefferson, and it features many unique and borderline archaic looking structures. The former US President lived right down the street at the time.
It was around midnight when I strolled the campus. Completely alone except for the Security personnel who looked to be on par with the Secret Service. Not being sarcastic. The security did not consist of your average balding donut eaters, but all looked like they could be protecting the highest office in this land. The way they dressed, carried themselves, and watched me casually. I’m quite sure that I had at least 2-3 red dots tracking my chest the entire time which was probably deserved considering the time I chose to visit.
Also, just about twenty minutes outside of town is Shenandoa National Park. One can imagine the expansive rolling hills of multi-colored foliage this time of year.
I’ll be looking for a reason to return before it’s all said and done.
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Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.