The national media has weighed in. If they’re right, Bronco Mendenhall will face another uphill battle in 2017. Outlets like SB Nation and ESPN have started previewing the 2017 football season, and their outlook on Virginia isn’t pretty. Here’s what’s been written lately.
SB Nation’s Bill Connelly released his preliminary projected S&P+ rankings in early February. His rankings take into account past recruiting rankings, returning production, and recent history. Connelly ranks Virginia 70th nationally and last in the ACC Coastal. Only two of Virginia’s 2017 FBS opponents rank lower: Boston College (76th) and UConn (125th).