Virginia gets a chance to reset tonight in Charlottesville, and the matchup with Delaware offers a clean spot to answer a few questions from last weekend’s loss to West Virginia. The Cavaliers are back home after that neutral-site setback and are looking to get to 3-1 before heading back into ACC play next weekend at Florida State.
Delaware brings a 2-1 record into the game and has already shown it can hang around, especially after a solid road performance at Vanderbilt a couple of weeks ago. The Blue Hens are coming in with confidence, so Virginia can’t treat this like a routine non-conference tune-up.
The biggest reason for optimism on the Virginia side is the offense. The Cavaliers were rolling early against West Virginia before things changed when left guard Noah Josey exited after 20 snaps. Once he left, the rhythm went with him, and Virginia never really found the same groove.
That should look different here. Delaware’s defense has been sturdy in its two wins, but the group gave up 35 points at Vanderbilt, and Virginia should have more firepower. The run game is expected to get back on track, and Des Kitchings should be able to create chances for Beau Pribula to connect on some chunk plays through the air.
Pribula’s passing ability is one of the more interesting pieces in this matchup. He’s known for what he can do on the ground, but this has a chance to be his sharpest day throwing the football. When West Virginia took the lead and Virginia had to rely more heavily on the pass, the offense didn’t respond well, and the receiving group is still very much a work in progress.
This feels like a game where Kitchings can simplify things and help Pribula settle in. Delaware’s defense will be seeing the most dangerous collection of playmakers it has faced so far, and Virginia should be able to scheme up enough open looks to build confidence before the trip to Tallahassee.
On the other side, Virginia’s defense has its own point to prove. Last week’s effort against West Virginia was a rough one after the unit had looked strong through the first two games. The Mountaineers leaned on the run and got a career day from dual-threat quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.
That kind of performance won’t sit well with the Cavaliers, and this is the kind of game where a response is expected. Delaware does have a capable offense and a passing attack that can cause problems, but Virginia needs bounce-back games from safeties Brandyn Hillman and Ethan Minter, and the front seven has to get pressure on quarterback Nick Minicucci.
The prediction here is a Virginia defense that plays with purpose, forces four turnovers, and helps turn this into a big win.
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