As most of you probably know at this point, the blog world often asks for our help in previewing UVa’s game with that week’s opponent. This week, the South Florida Sun Sentinel asked me to tell their Hurricanes’ blog why Virginia can/will win this weekend. Here is the entry!

Reader RV checks in:

First of all, the weather was perfect. The 3:30 kickoff allowed for some moderate tailgating. There’s this vodka drink called Firefly that tastes dangerously like sweet tea; that and some Bulleit bourbon were the weapons of choice. UVA will call had its own entrance line (!) at Gate 10, and it did not have padder-downers…bueno.

You saw the game…entertaining and yes the good guys won. The game’s narrative could be simplified to a story of turnovers…and by the end it finally broke in our favor. Defense rebounded extraordinarily, and I liked that we went to 4-or 5-receiver sets a few times to see what they’d do, given their dearth of CBs.

I can’t add anything to the Groh tantrum. He was fired up — maybe he had channeled me — but I was too far away to tell what the deal was.

I have to say that for a ranked team’s homecoming, the Ramblin’ Wreck faithful were not impressive. There were thousands of empty (cheap) seats. The stadium itself is old but not crappy, at least the part where I was. The upper deck of Grant Field allows a very good vantage point. The GT fans were gracious enough as upset hosts… The stadium is in such a prime location — middle of campus and transit-accessible — that I would gladly go again. If we get to win.

If you want to submit a report like this or anything else, email me at mahini@thesabre.com.

Manny thinks that Miami needs a better showing from the backs and the linemen, especially since their not-so-steady quarterbacks have never seen the 3-4 defense before.

“They’re probably the best offensive line we’ve faced so far.” – Georgia Tech defensive end Micheal Johnson, on UVa’s line. (Hat-tip to reader ND).

If you want to submit a QOTD or any other tips, email me at mahini@thesabre.com.

Not good to see another linebacker go down ….

Out
Aaron Clark (knee)
Cam Johnson (ankle)
Zane Parr (knee)
Keith Payne (hand)

Doubtful
Max Milien (foot)
Mark Ambrose (shoulder)

Questionable
Antonio Appleby (ankle)

Probable
Matt Conrath (shoulder)
Nick Jenkins (ankle)
Kevin Ogletree (hand)
Yannick Reyering (knee)

Virginia continues its tradition of not-so-easy non-conference games, tapping TCU for an ’09 home game.

And now Jackson too. Seriously, these guys need babysitters. This one appears to be from alleged criminal behavior from last year, so it’s indicative of whatever problems with retention the team had in that timeframe. But, if nothing has been done to address these ongoing problems, then this latest one is yet another sign that something needs to be done. Not just to save the roster from continuous upheaval, but to keep academic careers from going up in smoke too.

“I’m sure it’s going to be on their mind. It was the last game in the Orange Bowl. I’m sure they’re going to be fired up and prepared to come down here and try to stick it to us.” – Clint Sintim.

More on Robert Marve from Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald, who fills us in a bit more:

For the second week in a row, it was one of UM’s young quarterbacks and not their veteran running backs who rallied the troops. Robert Marve wasn’t spectacular with his arm, completing 11 of 20 passes for 153 yards. But he did something he hadn’t done since his first start at Florida — he was turnover free. And, he made the biggest play of the game, turning the momentum for good in Miami’s favor when he faked on the Wake defense with a 43-yard run to setup the game-winning touchdown. It was the second longest TD run by a QB since 1983 and maybe the most important play of the season for Marve, who showed us all why Randy Shannon gave him the starting job in the first place. He made good throws for the most part Saturday and showed the leadership of a champion…. Marve impressed me with his speed on the long run, but even more on that long completion to Thearon Collier on third and long late. It’s the kind of plays he should be making more often.

Robert Marve or Jacory Harris? That’s the question for Miami this weekend. Here’s a look at who played when all season (based on the series where either quarterback pops up on ESPN’s play-by-play):

Charleston Southern: Harris played most of the game as Marve served a one-game suspension.
Florida: Marve started and played 8 series, with Harris playing in two series in the second quarter.
Texas A&M: Marve started and played 10 1/2 series, with Harris split that 1/2 series and played one more in the second quarter.
North Carolina: Marve started and played 9 series, with Harris playing a series in the second quarter.
Florida State: Marve started and played 9 series, with Harris playing in 2 series in the second quarter.
UCF: Marve started and played 11 series, with Harris playing in five series in the first and fourth quarter (including the final scoring drive of this tight game).
Duke: Marve started and played 4 series, with Harris playing in 13 series in the second quarter to take over for Marve for most of the game.
Wake Forest: Marve started and played 8 series, with Harris playing in three series in the second quarter and fourth quarter.

The basic trend had been that Marve would play most of the game, and Harris would get a try (usually before the half) to see if he’d be the better fit. Most games, Marve would win out. However, in the Duke game Shannon went with Harris, who looked much better than the error-prone Marve that day. And Shannon rewarded Harris by … starting and sticking with Marve in last week’s victory over Wake Forest.

So, it’s likely that Marve will start on Saturday, as he has most of the season. But he’ll likely share the spotlight at least a little, and whether he’ll be the main guy is certainly in doubt. If Marve is struggling and Harris looks to be the better option, Shannon has shown that he’s willing to bench his starter for the hotter hand for the bulk of a game.

And it sounds like Groh is getting his team ready for both guys, as he should:

Both players are inexperienced – Harris is a true freshman while Marve is a redshirt freshman – but despite that, both have been able to produce in the passing game. Harris has thrown for five TDs while Marve has tossed seven.

Byron Glaspy and the Hoos’ secondary will have to adjust quickly to Miami’s dual quarterbacks.
According to Groh, the two quarterbacks actually have a very similar style and don’t alter the scheme of the offense too much.

“They’re both very athletic players, they are very effective outside the pocket and as a result, Miami conducts its game the same with both of them,” Groh said. “Harris played two and a half quarters of the Duke game and so we had plenty of continuous plays to see of him and everything looked to be much the same.”

Both are also fond of the interception, having thrown 12 as a pair this season. Look for some Virginia ball hawking this weekend as well.