Q & A: Virginia Cavaliers

We are very fortunate to have the network of SB nation team sites working during the match weeks. This week we are talking with Caroline Darney, editor-in-chief Streaking The Lawn, SBN's blog for the Virginia Cavaliers. We talked about quarterback Cavalier Bryce Perkins, how Virginia might try to slow down the explosive attack from the Seminoles, head coach Bronco Mendenhall, and horses.

TN: So tell us about the 2019 Cavaliers – how good are they, thank you for introducing us Bryce Perkins, and if Virginia is going to hurt the FSU badly, how are they going to do it?

STL: Dude, let me tell you what. I love these 2019 riders. It's a strange feeling, this … confidence. We are so used to fearing August to the basketball season, so this is a welcome start to the season for a Charlottesville football season. You will love Bryce; he is such a good guy. He is extremely elusive, has a good arm, an electric personality. If Virginia does a lot of damage to the FSU, it's because the Hoos win the battle for the position on the field (dramatically), force some turnovers, go to James Blackman (a lot) and limit Cam Akers. Easier to say than to do, though.

TN: Osceola rides Renegade, a spotted appaloosa horse. What kind of horse do you think Cavman would ride? Using something like Microsoft Paint, can you draw a picture of Cavman riding his horse at play?

STL: A self-proclaimed equine expert, the faithful cavalier Cavman is a [checks notes] Brown horse named Saber. I have done my best to illustrate their majesty and have initialed my work so that no one tries to claim it and sell it for profit.

Caroline Darney

TN: The FSU offensive is currently ranked 9th on S & P+, and their defense is 109th. What will Virginia do in defense to try to slow down the Seminoles attack? Who are the defenders that FSU fans should know?

STL: Virginia's defense was very strong at the start of the first two games. They finally have 3-4 defense players who understand what's going on and who have allowed them to 1. flourish and 2. implement more complicated patterns. The blitzes this season have been more complex and it's something that will be essential to fight a Florida offensive line that has … struggled. There are some guys you should watch for. On the line, look for the first year Jowon Briggs. This is a 4-star rookie who has started both matches so far this season. He is tall, physical and learns fast.

Charles Snowden is a linebacker 6'7 who is under exceptional pressure and has the longest arms of the field to cause problems to the QBs. He is a guy who seems to be everywhere and who is one of the leaders of defense. Although I should include American player Bryce Hall in high school, I will report his counterpart Nick Grant. He will be tested against the talented FSU receiver, but he chose six last week.

TN: After cringing to the Louisiana-Monroe side at the extreme limit, SBNation's recent FanPulse revealed that no fanbase was as confident in the direction of its program as FSU. Even worse than 0-2 Miami. Do you have words of comfort?

STL: You have a lot of talented players! And it seems that you only have to work on the correction of the second halves up to now. The FSU started the games very well, but finishing them was not their strong point.

TN: I can not take credit for this question, but once I heard that, I really wanted to know – how would Thomas Jefferson describe the status of the program at FSU? What changes do you imagine that he would make?

STL: The encouraging hashtag of FSU #DoSomething reminded me of this quote from Thomas Jefferson, founder of UVA: "Do not talk about what you did or what you're going to do." You know, do not you do not focus on the past, do not talk about what you're going to do … just … do something.

TN: Do you know these commercial-type shows? What are you saying to the trading teams for this game? Or are you satisfied with the work done by Bronco Mendenhall? Until where do you think he can take the Cavaliers?

STL: Although I appreciate the exchange offer, I will stay with the coach Mendenhall. They have shown a clear improvement from one year to the next, by integrating their employees into the system and developing a succession plan for the team to continue to succeed. I think it's a program that needs to be bowled down every year, staying in the discussion for division titles and playing with an ACC championship (though Clemson never stops being like a machine) . If Virginia under Mendenhall can mean seasons of eight consecutive wins with a few seasons of 10 wins, I'm happy.

TN: What is the Virginia cap this season (record, achievements, bowling, etc.) and can you give us a score prediction for this match?

STL: I think Virginia can be 9-3 in the regular season, win the Coastal Division, get caught by Clemson and play in a high quality game. Obviously, they will all work, but what I love about this team and what Mendenhall has built, is that Virginia has become a team that makes you make mistakes and benefits from it. During the last season and some games, Virginia has rarely been outside of a game, and there is something to say about it.

I think Virginia is starting to roll and keeps a lead by imposing 31-21.

A big thank you to Caroline for taking the time to chat with us and this amazing drawing! Check back later for a link to our answers to Caroline's questions. Do not forget to check Strip the lawn for your Cavalier cover needs.

Finally, here is a real picture of Cavman and Saber. The resemblance is strange.

Photo of Lee Coleman / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images