The ultimate result of the game notwithstanding, the Virginia Cavaliers’ first postseason berth in six years last season marked a major step forward early in the tenure of head coach Bronco Mendenhall. To take over a program in shambles and bring it from a 2-10 record in his first campaign to a 5-1 start and bowl eligibility in his second speaks to the quality of player development and succession planning that he became known for when he was in charge at Brigham Young.
But 2018 is a new season with fresh uncertainty. Even with a much easier schedule than in years past, how can the team perform with the loss to graduation of Kurt Benkert, Micah Kiser and Quin Blanding?