It’s been seven years since Virginia made back-to-back bowl appearances. The Cavaliers actually reached the postseason in three consecutive years under Bronco Mendenhall — a 49-7 drubbing by Navy in the 2017 Military Bowl, a 28-0 blanking of South Carolina in the 2018 Belk Bowl and a 36-28 shootout loss to Florida in the 2019 Orange Bowl.
Given their breakthrough 11-3 record (which included a Gator Bowl win over Missouri) in 2025 and the extensive experience on his roster, it would be a huge letdown if Tony Elliott’s Cavaliers don’t play into December this year. Many fans are even hoping for the next step — a first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, which narrowly eluded Virginia after a loss to Duke in last year’s ACC championship game.
To have a chance at the CFP, the Cavaliers almost certainly have to return to the ACC championship game first. Winning it would earn them an automatic CFP bid. That’s possible, but let’s be realistic. If they hope to simply get back to Charlotte, they probably can’t afford more than one regular-season loss…