Coming off an impressive showing at #4 Ole Miss, the Cougs once again pack their bags and travel across the country — this time to face yet another ranked opponent coming off a bye week.
Virginia, not typically known as a football powerhouse, enters the matchup with a 5–1 record and a #18 ranking in the AP Poll.
What will the Cougs need to do to play the Cavaliers as tough as they did the Rebels? Let’s take a look at the numbers.
Virginia Overview
Record: 5–1 | AP Rank: #18 | RPI: #37 | PFF Team Rank: T-#22 | Turnover Differential: +2
Wins: vs Coastal Carolina (48–7), vs William & Mary (55–16), vs Stanford (48–20), vs Florida State (46–38), @ Louisville (30–27 OT)
Loss: @ NC State (35–31)
Offense
Stats: 43 PPG (8th in FBS) | 489 Yards/Game (12th) | 266 Passing Yards/Game (26th) | 217.5 Rushing Yards/Game (18th) | 54.3% 3rd Down Conversion (8th)
Through six games, Virginia has proven to have one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Nobody has held them under 30 points yet, though it took overtime to reach that mark against Louisville. Worth noting — the Cardinals held them to just 212 yards in regulation. Louisville does have one of the nation’s best statistical defenses, but it could also suggest teams are starting to adjust to Virginia’s offense as more tape becomes available.
Much of Virginia’s offensive strength lies in its line play — six Cavalier linemen are graded higher than any WSU offensive lineman, per PFF.
Quarterback
Chandler Morris (6th Year)
Virginia marks Morris’s fourth college stop after stints at Oklahoma, TCU, and North Texas. He’s throwing for 238 yards per game and adding 30 yards on the ground, giving the Cavaliers a true dual-threat option. Opponents have only managed five sacks for 34 total yards this season — a testament to both his mobility and his protection.
Running Game
J’Mari Taylor (R-Senior) – Graduate transfer from NC Central.
Taylor leads the team with 465 yards and 8 touchdowns through six games.
While Taylor handles most of the workload, Virginia has five players with over 170 rushing yards, all averaging at least 4.7 yards per carry — showcasing excellent depth and balance in the backfield.
Wide Receivers
Much like their rushing attack, the Cavaliers spread the ball around. Trell Harris, Cam Ross, and Jahmal Edrine are the main names to watch. Harris and Ross have flashed big-play potential, each posting games of 120+ yards. However, there isn’t a single dominant target the Cougs need to key on — the threat comes from versatility and unpredictability.
Defense
Stats: 23.8 PPG Allowed (66th in FBS) | 358.5 Yards Allowed/Game (66th) | 220 Passing Yards/Game (86th) | 118.5 Rushing Yards/Game (39th) | 28.8% 3rd Down Conversion (14th)
While Virginia’s offense has been electric, the defense has been more middle-of-the-pack — especially against the pass. Their front seven, however, has been active and disruptive, racking up 18 sacks so far. Four different players have at least two sacks, so keeping Zevi upright will be crucial for WSU.
Players to Watch
Devin Neal (Safety | 6th Year)
In his third stop at Virginia, Neal leads the team in tackles and is the highest-graded player on defense according to PFF. With only a 6.1% missed tackle rate, he’s a reliable closer who cleans up anything that reaches the secondary.
Daniel Rickert (Edge | 6th Year)
A graduate transfer from Tennessee Tech, Rickert has brought production and leadership to Virginia’s front. With four sacks already this year and 20 combined over his last two seasons at Tech, he’s a legitimate threat off the edge.
Mitchell Melton (Edge | Junior)
The Ohio State transfer is having a breakout year with three sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles — all team highs. Keeping Melton out of the backfield will be key for the Cougs’ offensive rhythm.
Ja’Son Prevard (Corner | Junior)
A Morgan State transfer, Prevard has quickly become a playmaker for the Cavaliers, recording two interceptions and the team’s highest coverage grade among cornerbacks.
Takeaways
Head coach Tony Elliott — longtime assistant under Dabo Swinney before taking over at Virginia four years ago — has built this roster heavily through the transfer portal, and it’s paying dividends. The Cavaliers feature experience across the board, with many impact players in their fourth, fifth, or even sixth college season.
As for WSU, the silver lining is that Virginia doesn’t boast elite, top-end NFL talent. Much like against Ole Miss, there’s no single game-wrecker to account for. Additionally, Virginia’s résumé might be inflated — their marquee wins are against a Florida State team currently 0–3 in ACC play and a Louisville squad with just one Power Five victory. Add in the ACC’s 5–13 record against nonconference Power Five opponents this season, and there’s reason to believe the Cougs can keep this one close — or even pull off an upset.