Trust the Process:

I’ll be using a standard format across all Chop’s Takes:

1. I’ll take a look at the returning production (keeping in mind the evaluation of talent applicable to each ACC Program) and compare to each team they face on their schedule.
2. I’ll look at the opponent faced the week before, that game’s final score, and days passed before the current game being evaluated.
3. I’ll take a look at the opponent the ACC team faces after the present game, considering look-ahead games and rivalries, and days separating that game from the present.
4. I’ll weigh advantages of home versus away games for each game.
5. Where possible, I’ll take into consideration potential weather considerations (not Hurricanes or other natural disasters but rather seasonal conditions).

Virginia’s 2018 Football Schedule:

Richmond (September 1st, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. EST at home)

Television: ACC Network Extra

Previous Game: N/A

Following Game: Fordham (September 8th, 2018 6:00 P.M. EST away)

Prediction: Virginia WIN

I’ll keep this brief: ACC teams SHOULD win their FCS match-ups. Virginia is at home against a vastly inferior opponent. Virginia should win this. Next.

Indiana (September 8th, 2018 7:30 P.M. EST away)

Television: Big Ten Network

Previous Game: FIU (September 1st, 2018 6:00 P.M. EST away)

Following Game: Ball State (September 15th, 2018 noon EST at home

Prediction: Virginia WIN

I believe in Bronco and what he is doing at UVA. That, and the defense at Indiana is atrocious, at least by returning production measures. Despite being on the road and a night game, I think UVA will surprise some teams this season and snatch this win on the road.

Ohio (September 15th, 2018 3:00 P.M. EST at home)

Television: ACC Network Extra

Previous Game: Howard (September 1st, 2018 2:00 P.M. EST at home)

Following Game: Cincinnati (September 22nd, 2018 away)

Prediction: Virginia WIN

Virginia is on a roll! I believe at home UVA will have an advantage against Ohio. Given Ohio already has lesser talent than what UVA can pull-in, the returning leadership at Ohio might give momentary pause. I don’t expect this game to be easy for UVA. But I believe they have every capability to draw the W from this match-up.

Louisville (September 22nd, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: Western Kentucky (September 15th 7:30 P.M. EST at home on RSN)

Following Game: FSU (September 29th, 2018 at home)

Rivalry Game

Prediction: Virginia WIN

Louisville has struggled against Virginia the past few seasons, and I wouldn’t expect any different this season (especially without leader Lamar Jackson under center). I don’t expect great things from Louisville this year, and anticipate a rebuilding. They also face FSU next in a potential look-ahead game. While a rivalry, Louisville will likely have their focus on the Noles, leaving Virginia in a prime position to pull a Win on their turf. I anticipate they’ll do just that.

NC State (September 29th, 2018 away)

Previous Game: Marshall (September 22nd, 2018 7:00 P.M. EST away)

Following Game: Boston College (October 6th, 2018 at home)

Prediction: Virginia LOSS

I believe this will be the first loss for Virginia. NC State is loaded on offense this season (despite spotty leadership on defense) and will want this win at home. Virginia might be riding a bit high and sleep-walk their way into a loss before their BYE week. The talent that NC State does have also is of a higher caliber than what Virginia can field any given season, leading me to believe the above will come to fruition.

Miami (October 13th, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: FSU (October 6th, 2018 at home)

Following Game: Boston College (Friday October 26th, 2018 7:00 P.M. EST ESPN away)

Prediction: Virginia LOSS

Miami will be soaring after another victory over their hated rival, the Florida State Seminoles. The talent they offer this season is playoff caliber, and certainly should be considered the leader for the ACC Coastal. I don’t think, despite having Miami at home on Homecoming, that Virginia should have any expectation of upsetting the Hurricanes this season.

Duke (October 20th, 2018 away)

Previous Game: Georgia Tech (October 13th, 2018 away)

Following Game: Pittsburgh (October 27th, 2018 away)

Prediction: Virginia LOSS

Virginia is now on a slide after a great start to their season. Duke is a dark horse contender for the Coastal, and I believe will be undefeated in conference play at this point in the season. Duke will fight to preserve that at their home stadium. I believe the leadership on this team and similar caliber athletes will push Duke to the victory.

University of North Carolina (October 27th, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: Syracuse (October 20th, 2018 away)

Following Game: Georgia Tech (November 3rd, 2018 at home)

Rivalry Game

Prediction: Virginia LOSS

What a poor bout of luck for the Cavaliers. North Carolina will also be returning a strong contingent of leaders this season. I also expect North Carolina to be a dark horse in the Coastal, however at this stage anticipate they’ll be fighting just to have a chance at the ACC division title. They’ll need this win desperately enough to pull the win at Virginia, despite the rivalry match-up.

Pittsburgh (Friday November 2nd, 2018 7:30 P.M. EST at home)

Television: ESPN2

Previous Game: Duke (October 27th, 2018 at home)

Following Game: Virginia Tech (November 10th, 2018 at home)

Prediction: Virginia WIN

Virginia finally catches a break in this match-up against Pitt! The reasoning driving this win over Pitt is tied directly to the look-ahead position Pitt finds themselves in. As they’ll be taking on Coastal contender Virginia Tech in a week, I suspect Virginia will be primed on a Friday Night to take down the Panthers. I think they will this season.

Liberty (November 10th, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: UMass (November 3rd, 2018 away)

Following Game: Auburn (November 17th, 2018 away)

Prediction: Virginia WIN

Virginia can seal the deal with a win over Liberty, making a bowl game in 2018. I believe Liberty was scheduled by Virginia to achieve that specific goal. They’ll achieve it with the inferior talent at Liberty will be unable to contend against Virginia at their home stadium.

Georgia Tech (November 17th, 2018 away)

Previous Game: Miami (November 10th, 2018 at home)

Following Game: Georgia (November 24th, 2018 rivalry away)

Prediction: Virginia LOSS

Georgia Tech is always tricky, and while they’re not bowling this season, I do expect for their own pride they’ll take at least one ACC game this season. Virginia is pretty much the only team on their schedule that I’d anticipate they could beat on their home turf. So I’ll anticipate exactly that. As Virginia will have just earned a bowl bid, I expect their on-field performance might slip as they won’t be contending for the Coastal at this stage.

Virginia Tech (Friday November 23rd, 2018 away)

Rivalry

Previous Game: Miami (November 17th, 2018 at home)

Following Game: N/A

Prediction: Virginia LOSS

Virginia Tech will be challenging for the Coastal title at this stage, and in anticipation of a potential upset in the games tomorrow, Virginia Tech will seal this victory and pray on Saturday. Virginia, meanwhile, will be content knowing they’ve achieved a bowl berth this season.

My Predicted 2018 Regular Season Record for Virginia : 6-6 (2-6 ACC)

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