Know Your Foe: FSU vs. UVA

Know Your Foe: FSU vs. UVA teases out some of the lesser-known aspects of Florida State’s homecoming match-up with the Virginia Cavaliers. 

• The history of FSU vs. UVA is one currently characterized by firsts and lasts. The ‘Hoos handed Florida State its first-ever ACC loss, dropping the ‘Noles 33-28 in Charlottesville, VA in 1995. The last time FSU played Virginia, in 2011, the Cavs hung a 14-13 homecoming defeat on the ‘Noles in Tallahassee, the Seminoles’ last ACC home loss, so FSU should be primed for payback. It was the only time UVA has ever won in Tallahassee, and the Seminoles are 13-3 in the series.

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• Virginia opened some eyes to start the season, hanging with a UCLA squad many picked to make the playoff (the Bruins are currently No. 18) before dropping a 28-20 decision at home.
• After the UCLA loss, the ‘Cavaliers topped Richmond, which is where head coach Mike London, in his fifth season at UVA, coached before taking over at UVA. London led the Spiders to the 2008 FCS title. Earlier in life, London worked as a police detective in Richmond.
• The Cavs then bested Louisville, 23-21, suffered a close 41-33 loss to BYU, and beat Kent State (45-13) and Pitt (24-19) to get off to a 4-2 start atop the ACC Coastal division.
• It’s been tough sledding since then, however. UVA has lost its last three, to Duke, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech by a combined score of 83-50. The ‘Hoos registered just 22 rushing yards in their loss to the Yellow Jackets. In all, Virginia has won just two of its last 15 ACC contests, and it has not left a conference road venue successful since November 13, 2012 (at NC State).
• One strength of UVA is keeping defenders out of its backfield. The Cavaliers are seventh in the country in tackles for loss allowed and have surrendered the 12th-fewest sacks in the nation. This has come protecting a pair of quarterbacks, Matt Johns and Greyson Lambert, and you know what they say about teams that have two QBs…
• Virginia, like FSU’s last opponent, Louisville, is adept at forcing turnovers as well. The ‘Hoos are tied (with the Cards) for ninth, nationally, in turnovers forced, with 21. 11 of those have been interceptions, which has them tied for second-most picks in the ACC (behind UL). Providing the most heat? Defensive end Eli Harold leads the ACC in TFL (13) and has the second-most sacks (7). The ‘Noles have taken the ball away nicely at home as well, though, collecting eight fumbles in their last four games at Doak.
• Regarding special teams, UVA’s kicker, Ian Frye, is quite steady: he’s connected on 17 of 20 field goal attempts. The Cavs are at a decided disadvantage, however, in the punt return game. Virginia’s return man, Khalek Shepherd, is averaging the lowest return average in the ACC, with a paltry 4.18 YPR. Florida State’s Rashad Greene, on the other hand, has the conference’s best average (11.09 YPR).