Wahoo Wire

Most major college football programs usually open their seasons with an “easy win” or two to start the year. The reason is because of the BCS system, teams can barely afford to lose even one game if they want to keep their hopes at a National Championship alive. Besides, they’ll face plenty of tougher tests once conference play begins later in the season.

Virginia opens the season tomorrow against the William and Mary Tribe, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS; formerly known as Division I-AA) team.  That would lead many to automatically assume the Cavaliers will roll to a victory and surely start their season off on the right foot.

To borrow a phrase from ESPN’s Lee Corso: “Not so fast, my friend.”

William and Mary is one of the elite programs in FCS competition. Last year, the Tribe finished at the #20 spot in the final national rankings. On the strength of 15 returning starters, they have vaulted six spots to start this year at #14.

Sure, any ACC team should be able to dispatch of even the best FCS team, but that isn’t always the case. Remember when Appalachian State went in to the Big House and stunned nationally ranked Michigan? FCS teams have proven that they can play with the big boys on occasion.

What’s more, Virginia enters the year surrounded by plenty of doubt. Head coach Al Groh has fallen out of favor with much of the fan base and is certainly on the hot seat. The Cavs only went 5-7 last season, and few publications predict them to finish much better this year. While the usual hope of early September is in the air around Charlottesville, a lower-tier bowl is probably a realistic goal for this team.

So if a top FCS program can defeat a nationally ranked team, why can’t another top FCS school compete with what many are calling an average ACC team?  Few people are expecting the Tribe to come away with a win at Scott Stadium, but don’t be surprised if they give the Cavaliers all they can handle.