Virginia Football Preview 2026: Finish the Job

Virginia Football Preview 2026: Finish the Job assesses the Cavaliers after falling short of major ACC and playoff milestones. Virginia had a chance at the ACC Championship and an almost certain College Football Playoff spot, but lost to Duke in overtime, failing to win a third ACC title in 72 seasons. The preview frames 2026 as a step beyond improvement under Tony Elliott, whose four-year stretch included gradual progress after a first-season tragedy. Offensively, Virginia averaged 418 yards and 31 points per game in 2025 under coordinator Des Kitchings, and the article says the production should remain strong despite personnel changes. It highlights new wide receivers from the transfer portal, including Rico Flores Jr. (UCLA), Da’Shawn Martin (Kent State), and Jacquon Gibson (UMass), plus an experienced offensive line led by additions such as Monroe Mills. Quarterback depth is described as a competition involving Beau Pribula (Missouri) and Eli Holstein (Pitt), with concerns because neither has the 800+ pass attempts experience that Chandler Morris provided. It also notes major backfield turnover as key runners have departed.