The Cavs were 19th in last week's preseason coaches poll. A win over an SEC team on Auburn's home turf could catapult UVa inside the top 15 and with A schedule set up in the Cavaliers' favor, it wouldn't be too farfetched to see this team crack the top 10 early and stay there. That's why the Auburn game is the biggest game on the season for Virginia. A team searching for respect, trying to take the program to the next level can't afford a setback in the opener. Any credibility would vanish instantly and would take weeks to regain top 25 consideration.
Question is, can UVa get it done.
Talk is cheap. This team has to avoid the pitfall that has prevented it from taking the program to a higher level. Seems like every year the Cavs slip up and lose to a less worthy opponent such as N.C. State last season and Georgia Tech the year before. Coach George Welsh, starting his 17th season at Virginia, realizes what a fast start could do for his team and how much easier it should be to deal with a season-opening win over a good football team rather than dealing with a loss. There's a carryover from a good preseason to the first game and possibly to the second and even third game.