Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - 2006 SEASON IN REVIEW: Al Groh's Cavaliers underachieved in 2006, finishing just 5-7 overall, but there were flashes of a bright future, as the team finished 4-4 in ACC action, good for third place in the Coastal Division. Things started slow for the Cavs, who dropped three of their first four games, with the sole victory being a 13-12 overtime decision at home against Wyoming. The team split its last eight games, with conference wins against Duke (37-0), North Carolina (23-0), NC State (14-7) and Miami-Florida (17-7). However, those wins were tempered by losses to Eastern Carolina (31-21), Maryland (28-26), Florida State (33-0) and finally Virginia Tech (17-0) in the season- finale. Still, there was plenty of reason for optimism, with a young budding star under center and a defense that played well in most games.

2007 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: Freshman signal-caller Jameel Sewell may have exceeded expectations in his first season in Charlottesville, as the versatile gunslinger completed 58 percent of his passes, for 1,342 yards and five TDs. He also added 200 yards rushing on the season and another four scores, despite starting just nine games. Those numbers aren't overwhelming by any stretch of the imagination and overall Virginia's offensive numbers were well below par (15.1 ppg, 257.2 ypg), but Sewell is a keeper and worth getting excited about in 2007. He will have some capable receivers on the outside this year, although junior Kevin Ogletree (team-leading 52 receptions in 2006) suffered a knee injury in the spring and his status is up in the air this season. Junior Maurice Covington will get every opportunity to shine though. The 6-4, 215- pound Covington has played lights out in the preseason and could be poised for a breakout campaign, following a 2006 season in which he caught just six balls. Redshirt freshman Chris Dalton (6-2, 175) could develop into a nice down the field threat this year as well. The ground game is in a transition period after averaging just 99.9 ypg a year ago. Junior RB Cedric Peerman seems to be the likely choice to lead the way in the backfield, but sophomore Mikell Simpson is a speedster with talent and redshirt freshman Keith Payne (6-3, 245) is an interesting prospect with great size, plus exceptional speed. All five starters are back along the offensive line, but the unit will need to do a better job than last season, when it paved the way for just under 100 yards rushing per game (lowest average in 15 years) and yielded 35 sacks (most in 10 years).

DEFENSE: Defensively, the Cavaliers are in much better shape. Ten starters return to a unit that ranked 15th nationally in pass defense (170.2 ypg) and 17th in total defense (289.5 ypg). There is plenty of talent on this side of the football, but the one player getting the most press is All-American candidate Chris Long. Son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long, Chris has all the intangibles to be a dominant player. An every down defensive end (6-4, 285), Long can play both inside or out. Last season, he finished with 57 total tackles, with eight TFLs and four sacks. Sophomore end Jeffrey Fitzgerald (6-3, 280) is another productive downlineman, finishing 2006 with 64 tackles, seven TFLs and five sacks, en route to First-Team Freshman All-American honors. The play in the middle of the field is highlighted by junior linebackers Jon Copper (team-high 81 tackles, four sacks last season) and Antonio Appleby (68 tackles). The secondary loses talented CB Marcus Hamilton (five INTs in 2006), but returns a great deal of experience, not to mention some intriguing youth.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Placekicker Chris Gould hit on just 11-of-18 field-goal attempts last season, with a long of 48 yards. He was a perfect 18-of-18 on extra points and also had 21 TBs on 43 kickoffs. Gould also was responsible for 56 punts in 2006, but will turn that job over to senior Ryan Weigand, who got some playing time last year and has been very consistent in the preseason.

OUTLOOK: The Cavaliers won just five games in 2006, but with the majority of the starters returning, this is a seasoned team that should be able to add to that win total and find a place in the postseason. The defense will once again carry this unit, led by the play of Long up front. With nine starts under his belt, Sewell could be ready to make a real name for himself under center. The non-conference schedule consists of road trips to Wyoming (season-opener) and Middle Tennessee, while Pittsburgh and Connecticut come to Charlottesville. Virginia has the talent to win all four games. That leaves the ACC slate, which is never easy. Home dates include Duke, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech, but it may be the trips to North Carolina, Maryland, NC State and Miami that will tell the tale of this season for the Cavaliers.