Blog Banter: Will GT Win In C'Ville?

A guest blogger on Mark Bradley's Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote a short post on why the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will win in Charlottesville this year. Matthew Harrison is a Virginia resident after moving here from Atlanta. Click here to read the whole post but here's a short glimpse:

There are several reasons why Tech will beat Virginia:

UVA will be running a new offense this year - a spread (I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery) and Jameel Sewell, the projected starting quarterback, has not played in a year because he was not in school last season. He has to get back into playing shape while he learns a new system under a new offensive coordinator. So the area that is the one question mark for Tech - the defensive line - should see an offense that is a pale imitation of what it's used to seeing in practice. That also means, hopefully, that Coach Paul Johnson and Coach Dave Wommack will be better equipped to defend against this offense.

Setting aside the fact that The Sabre is projecting Vic Hall as the starting quarterback (at least for the opener) and not Jameel Sewell, the guest blogger touches on a topic we're all talking about. Namely, "What will UVa's new offense look like and will it work well enough to win games?" The optimists out there generally fall in the "anything is an improvement" category with the attached caveat that any improvement will lead to more wins. Others believe it may take more than a year for the offense to truly find its way, which could mean a frustrating year overall. Closed practices and nothing but base plays in the Spring Game did little to reveal what the offense will truly look like so really it's a mystery.

But Georgia Tech's success last season switching to a new option style offense with Paul Johnson went more smoothly than expected. Most outsiders thought it would take much longer for the Yellow Jackets to get things in place and win a lot of games, but they rattled off 9 wins (including a 45-42 victory over rival Georgia). So can Virginia whip up a similar success story? If so, it's hard to imagine GT coming into Charlottesville and winning in late October. Especially when you consider that Al Groh has lost just twice to Georgia Tech as Virginia's head coach.

So what do you think? Will the Jackets snap their losing streak in Charlottesville? Share your opinion on The Sabre message boards! Read more from The Good Ol' Blog here.

This Week In Recruiting

Chris Horne is taking a vacation this week, but before he left he provided an update for EDGE subscribers that will appear this week. Stay tuned for a basketball update on 2010 prospect Rod Odom, a 6'8.5", 205-pound guard/forward.

Chris Horne, our resident recruiting expert, provides updates throughout the week for Edge subscribers about UVa's commitments and recruiting targets in football and men's basketball. To sign up for an Edge subscription, please check out the Sabre Edge Sign Up and Information Page. If you're already on board as an Edge subscriber, click the links below to catch up on recruiting.

Sabre Edge recruiting updates from the past week ...

UVa Recruiting Notes
In this edition of "Notes," I profile 6-6, 255-pound Boston College High School (Boston, MA) jumbo athlete Andrew Tallman, who has been offered by Virginia, Miami and others. Also, find out the latest on two of the state of Virginia's top rising junior prospects in Hermitage linebacker Curtis Grant and Dinwiddie defensive tackle Corey Marshall, as well as other tidbits on the Virginia football recruiting front.

Is Harris Closing in on a Decison?
This summer, Lake Chelan (WA) shooting guard/small forward prospect Joe Harris has seen interest increase from Division 1 college coaches. Besides offers from, Portland, San Diego, Virginia and WSU, the 6-6, 200-pound rising senior is hearing from Arizona State, Georgetown, Nevada, Notre Dame, SMU and Washington.

More recent recruiting updates on The Sabre ...

• Provo (UT) Guard Names Top Five
• Work Pays Off for Florida QB Stephen Morris
• DeMatha OL in the Process of Narrowing List

At The Boar's Head Inn hospitality comes naturally. Nestled in Virginia's Piedmont countryside, The Boar's Head promises world-class amenities in a setting uniquely Southern in character, charm, and natural beauty. An exceptional destination awaits you, with AAA Four Diamond Award-winning dining, attentive service, and first-class accommodations. Our visitors enjoy golf, tennis, bicycling, hiking, fishing, and a fitness club and spa, all within the grounds of our lush 573-acre estate. Add in the many attractions of Charlottesville and picturesque surroundings that always transfix and sometimes even inspire, and you'll find yourself transported to a new place of reflection and discovery.

Michael Colley Tributes

Michael Colley, a long-time assistant director in the University of Virginia athletics media relations office, died Saturday, July 10 during a walk while vacationing with friends in Virginia Beach. He was 46.

Over the course of the last week, numerous columns and articles have paid tribute to Colley. Check out different stories from Derek Leach (special contribution at TheSabre.com), Jeff White at The Richmond Times-Dispatch, Doug Doughty at The Roanoke Times, Jerry Ratcliffe at The Daily Progress, and Patrick Stevens at The Washington Times.

Advertise With The Sabre!

Our advertising approach is different in that we make it abundantly clear in a direct and honest way that your company's commitment of sponsorship dollars is what enables the site to continue existing and improving into the future.

To learn more, please contact [email protected].

To view a list of our sponsors, please visit our Sponsors Page.

Around the World of Wahoo Sports ...

• Barr, Grovatt Named Cape Cod League All-Stars: Virginia baseball players John Barr and Dan Grovatt have been named to the Cape Cod League All-Star team, the league announced Thursday. Barr and Grovatt each will start for the East Division team.
• Seven Cavaliers Named to VaSID All-State Baseball Team: Virginia was represented by seven of its players on the 2009 Virginia College Sports Information Directors (VaSID) University Division All-State Baseball Team. In addition to having the most players on the team, UVa also won three of the four major awards, with Danny Hultzen nabbing Freshman of the Year and Pitcher of the Year laurels, and head coach Brian O'Connor earning Coach of the Year honors. Hultzen also was a First-Team All-State pick at pitcher, as UVa racked up a state-high six players on the first team. Hultzen was joined on the first team by second baseman Phil Gosselin, shortstop Tyler Cannon, outfielders Dan Grovatt and Jarrett Parker and pitcher Andrew Carraway. Third baseman Steven Proscia was a second-team selection.
• Big Ten/ACC Challenge Game vs. Penn State on ESPN2: The network and time designations for the 2009 Big Ten/ACC Challenge were announced Wednesday. The Virginia-Penn State game on November 30 will tip-off at 7 p.m. and be aired on ESPN2.
• Von Borsig Named to All-America Scholars Team: Virginia senior men's golfer Conrad Von Borsig has been named a 2009 Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar. A total of 108 players in Division I, 37 in Division II and 11 in NAIA earned the honor, which is presented by the National Golf Coaches Association.

For more Hoo news or to read full releases, check out Virginiasports.com.

2009 UVa Bookstore Football Fan T-Shirt
Only $9.99!

In 2009, Virginia Football is All About the Orange! The UVA Bookstore's Football Fan T-shirt features a stylized football with the V-Sabre over a two-color arched Virginia with Football screened beneath. The back has this year's slogan of It's All About The Orange with a small V-Sabre inserted between It's and All. Youth Sizes available as well. If you've already purchased a shirt, you can also donate a football fan t-shirt to The Central Virginia Boys and Girls Club.

Issue No. 127 - February 27, 2004

This Week In Recruiting
By Chris Horne

In basketball recruiting news, the terrific high school career of Penn Charter (Philadelphia, PA) point guard Sean Singletary ended on a great note last Sunday. Singletary, who has signed with UVa, led his team to an 86-75 victory over Germantown Academy in the Inter-Academic League championship game.

"It feels great, but it's sad at the same time," Singletary told the Philadelphia Inquirer following the win. "I hate to say goodbye to my teammates. It was a selfless group."

In the contest, Singletary had 26 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He was named Inter-Academy MVP. On the season, he averaged 22.9 points per contest.

Singletary is rated as one of the top point guards in the 2003-2004 recruiting class. He is rated a four-star prospect by Insiders.com as well as Rivals.com.

Earlier this week, Brewster Academy defeated Bridgton Academy 82-74. 6-7, 200 pound small forward Adrian Joseph, who has also signed with UVa, finished with 18 points in the winning effort.

One final regular season game remains for Brewster (19-5) when they Northfield Mount Hermon School on February 28th. They then head to the NEPSAC Class A playoffs.

Expect an update on Tunji Soroye very soon as well. The 6-11, 210 pound Montrose Christian Academy (MD) center has turned in a solid season for Coach Stu Vetter. He has verbally committed to UVa.

In football recruiting news, UVa received their third verbal commitment for the 2005 recruiting class this week, when Broad Run (Ashburn, VA) tight end/defensive end Alex Field committed to the 'Hoos. Field, a 6-6, 248 pound prospect, earned Dulles district Player of the Year honors last year as well as first-team all-district tight end.

Though he plays tight end and defensive end in high school, he has the potential to grow into an offensive tackle. Field chose UVa over interest from Maryland and Marshall, among others.

Check Out SabreMail #127.

Coming Soon

The Sabre has you covered when it comes to Hoo news. Here are a few of the articles to expect on the site soon:

• JHoo's Summer Reading JHoo's Summer Reading Series continues this week.
• Bennett's Beginning: Editor Kris Wright takes a look at the early months of new basketball coach Tony Bennett.
• Jed Williams: Jed Williams is working on his next column about the Hoos.

In Case You Missed It ...

Sabre articles since the last SabreMail

Catching Up With Matt Blundin
Matt Blundin doesn't get a lot of idle time. Blundin and his wife, Amy, have four sons ages 2-11. They're involved with a variety of sports from football to basketball to baseball and lacrosse. Like their parents, there's more to their lives than sports. Music and art are also involved. So, yeah, the Blundins stay busy. That's a fact that should surprise no one who knew Blundin during his days as a student and athlete at the University of Virginia.

JHoo's Summer Reading '09: Linebackers
It is no big secret that this is a big year for Al Groh. Big. Huge. Enormous. We also know that if there is any one position with which Al Groh identifies, it is the linebackers. So in the year where Al Groh absolutely, positively, no-question-about-it has to win, do you think he wishes he had just a little more stability and just a few more returning starters at linebacker going into the season? Yeah, I do, too.

A Farewell Tribute To Mike Colley
I have been keeping stats for the UVa men's basketball team for the past 5 years. I was originally offered the job because I had three unique qualifications. I knew a bit about basketball, I knew my way around a computer, and I was single and had time on my hands. After accepting the offer, I was asked to report to the Cage for my Orientation. In an office crammed with media guides, Orioles memorabilia, and odds and ends associated with years of Virginia Athletics, I first met Mike Colley.

Get your Wahoo fix. Subscribe to Sabre Edge!

Every week, Sabre Edge provides you with exclusive articles, columns, special features, interviews and recruiting news, including daily recruiting updates. There's even a special message board just for subscribers. And to top it off, you get 10 percent off all of your UVa Bookstores purchases during your subscription.

All of the great Sabre Edge content can be yours for the price of $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year. Try it for a month and cancel if you like. But we think you'll get hooked on the Edge and find out for yourself why the most knowledgeable Cavalier fans are Edge subscribers.

If you're a true Wahoo, then the Sabre Edge is right for you. Check it out!

• Sabre Edge Info and Sign Up