Virginia’s matchup with Norfolk State looks like the kind of game that can turn into a showcase for the back half of the roster. After knocking off a strong ACC opponent, the Cavaliers now draw an FCS team that went 1-11 last season, and Virginia is favored by more than 40 points.
That number may not even be enough. The Cavaliers could easily push north of 70, especially with the kind of depth they have available.
That creates a very different kind of opportunity. Once the starters log a few drives, most of them are expected to head to the sideline, and the bulk of the snaps should go to backups. For a few reserves, that kind of workload is exactly what they need to make a case for bigger roles.
One player who could benefit is Lewis, who is looking for a reset after a quiet Virginia debut. He carried the ball just six times for 10 yards, and those touches came in obvious clock-draining situations. A game like this gives Virginia room to test the run game, lean on 22 personnel and try out different ways to get skill players involved.
At quarterback, the situation should open up reps for the depth chart behind the starter. Beau Pribula almost certainly won’t be on the field for the full game, and he likely won’t get much past halftime against an opponent this overmatched. Eli Holstein is next in line, but even he probably won’t still be playing late in the fourth quarter.
That could leave Geer with a meaningful stretch of action. As the No. 3 quarterback, he could end up taking most of the snaps Friday, giving him a real chance to put something on film and show he belongs in the conversation for future starting jobs. It could also help him position himself for a possible portal move this offseason if he wants a chance to compete elsewhere.
Baxter is another name to watch. The Michigan transfer impressed throughout fall camp with his strength and polished pass-rush moves, but he still hasn’t had the chance to prove it in a game.
Friday could bring a career-high in snaps, especially with his position group made up mostly of graduate students who may not need a heavy workload. If he delivers, it might be enough to move him up a rung or two on the depth chart.
And then there’s Cope, the freshman receiver who has already turned heads in practice. With veterans likely getting pulled after a few drives, the path is there for him to show what he can do in live action.
He has been very impressive for a true freshman, but on a run-heavy team with experienced receivers ahead of him, opportunities have been limited. Friday could finally give him a longer look.
In Other News...
Virginias Recruiting Momentum Could Finally Lead To Something Bigger
Virginia football used the NC State weekend as more than just a chance to add another win. The Cavaliers turned the date into a major recruiting showcase, bringing in a large group of prospects while the programs on-field momentum gave visitors a better look at what Tony Elliotts staff is trying to build. It was the kind of setup Virginia has wanted more often: a home game with energy around it and a chance to put the program in front of the next wave of high school talent.
Recruiting analyst Brian Dohn pointed to the speed of Virginias approach as part of the story, noting that the staff is getting earlier with offers and trying to stay ahead of future cycles. The Cavaliers have also been making progress with in-state recruits, a key piece for a program that has to win more consistently on the road to roster depth and long-term stability. With college football rules potentially shifting the way teams recruit and build, Virginias recent push feels like more than a one-weekend burst, even if the real payoff still has to come later. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Fans Just Got An Early Read On This Teams Test
Virginias mens basketball program gave fans an early look at the 2026-27 non-conference slate, and it does not exactly read like a tune-up schedule. The Cavaliers have 13 games lined up outside the league, with eight of them coming at John Paul Jones Arena, and the calendar includes a marquee SEC/ACC Challenge matchup with Kentucky along with a trip to the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Before the regular season even gets rolling, Virginia will also work through a set of exhibitions against Vanderbilt, Richmond and Villanova, which should offer a decent first glance at how the roster is coming together. For a team that usually measures itself by how it handles the seasons first real tests, the early portion of this schedule already suggests there will be no shortage of high-end checkups. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Top 25 Just Set Up A Huge Week Across The State
Virginias latest High School On SI Top 25 has a little extra intrigue tucked into the lower half of the rankings, with Saint Michael the Archangel and Bethel both landing inside the poll. The rest of the list stayed steady at the top, where The Saint James Performance Academy sits at No. 2 and Varina holds the No. 1 spot after a tense overtime win over Maury, giving the week a familiar look at the summit even as pressure starts to build beneath it.
Now the focus shifts to a busy stretch of games across the state, and Varinas trip to Oscar Smith stands out as one of the biggest showdowns on the calendar. With several ranked teams set to meet in marquee matchups, the next round should say a lot more about who can hold position and who is ready to climb before the seasons biggest decisions start arriving. [Read more 🡒]