Over the last two games, the Virginia Cavaliers’ offense hasn’t looked sharp, and it starts at quarterback.
In games against Washington State and North Carolina, Chandler Morris has one touchdown pass and 13 carries for -6 yards. Morris has missed several open receivers, and his ineffectiveness in the passing game has enabled the defense to stop the run.
It took a late comeback to beat the Cougars and overtime to beat the Tar Heels.
There are only two teams in the ACC with undefeated conference records: Virginia and Georgia Tech.
The Cavaliers (7-1, 4-0) play Cal (5-3, 2-2) this weekend and then have Wake Forest, at Duke, and Virginia Tech.
Wake and Virginia Tech are both playing their best football of the season, and Duke has been solid all season.
If Virginia wants to play in the ACC Championship game, they have to break out of whatever offensive funk it is in. That starts with Morris and the Virginia staff adjusting the way defenses are playing them.
Cal Preview
Just like Virginia, Cal was involved in an overtime game (two overtimes).
The Bears fell to Virginia Tech, 42-34 (2OT) in Blacksburg. It was the second time in three games that they had given up over 40 points. The other was against Duke.
Get the Offense Right
Last week, the Bears allowed over 300 yards on the ground. Yes, you read that correctly.
Hokies’ quarterback Kyren Drones threw for over 100 yards and ran for over 100 yards.
No one expects Morris to run for 100 yards, but early on, he had a couple of games with over 50 yards rushing, mainly on scrambles and an occasional quarterback draw.
Morris has to regain that mojo. He is a playmaking threat, whether it is looking downfield when he escapes the pocket or scrambling to keep Virginia in front of the chains. He is the key to opening up the running game for Virginia’s stable of running backs.
Impact Plays on Defense
In the last three games, the Cavaliers have recorded nine sacks and five interceptions.
Earlier in the season, Virginia’s defense was a question mark at times, but at the very least, the Cavaliers’ defense has started to make plays that impact winning in close games.
After throwing six interceptions in a three-game stretch, Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has had a clean sheet in his last two (North Carolina and Virginia Tech).
The Cavaliers’ Defensive Ranking in the ACC:
Sacks: 2nd
Interceptions: 4th
Forced Fumbles: 1st
Fumbles Recovered: 2nd
