Virginia Football Projected for Major Postseason Run Following Commonwealth Cup Victory
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – A dominant win over Virginia Tech in the Commonwealth Cup has propelled the Virginia Cavaliers into the national conversation, and early postseason bowl projections reflect the program’s newfound success. Experts are forecasting potential matchups ranging from a New Year’s Six bowl game against a top-10 opponent to a College Football Playoff quarterfinal appearance.
The Cavaliers’ remarkable 2025 season,previously considered improbable by many,has culminated in a surge of optimism. These projections represent a significant leap for the program and signal a potential turning point in Virginia football.The stakes are high, as a successful postseason could cement this year’s team as one of the most memorable in UVA history.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach currently projects Virginia facing no. 6 Ole Miss in a bowl game on Dec. 20. Schlabach further predicts a CFP quarterfinal matchup against No. 3 Georgia at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. Simultaneously occurring, ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura has Virginia playing No. 6 Oregon on Dec. 20, though he does not project the Cavaliers advancing to the CFP Quarterfinal.
CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford also forecasts a Virginia-Oregon matchup on Dec. 19 or 20, with the winner advancing to play Indiana. Crawford notes Oregon’s impressive 11-1 overall record and 8-1 conference record, acknowledging the challenge the ducks would present.
Virginia head coach Tony Elliott recently emphasized the importance of player agency, stating, “… the hardest part is when you’re trying to teach others, you can’t do it for them, right? You can’t do it for them, but you can encourage them. You can try to inspire them, and you can get them to that point, but man, they’ve got to do it for themselves. And that’s really the coolest thing, right?”
With the regular season complete, the Cavaliers now focus on realizing their potential on the national stage and pushing the boundaries of what was previously thought possible this year.
