Virginia’s return to postseason play after a three-season absence did not go the way many had hoped. In the end, the Cavaliers were who we thought they were: a team with a good FBS offense, a defense that has difficulty with containment, misdirection and elite speed and a team that needs to desperately upgrade its special teams play. First, let’s be clear – Auburn is not your typical 7-5 team. All five of the Tigers’ losses this season were to teams that won 10 football games and are currently ranked in the top 18.

Matched up with a team that possesses superb team speed, one of the nation’s top special teams units and a club with big game experience, Virginia was behind before it stepped on to the field.

Last season we watched as team-after-team slashed through the UVa defense with big runs off counters, cut-backs, misdirection and read option. Auburn coach Gene Chizik, who served as his teams’ defensive coordinator, must have watched some 2010 film to put together his game plan as the Hoos surrendered more rushing yards (273) than it had in 19 previous games. UVa’s pass defense was a little better but the Tigers used the big play to gash the pass defense for 181 yards as well. The rushing and passing totals were the most the previously struggling Auburn offense had produced in seven ball games. In fact, Auburn was the only team this season to average 7.5 yards per passing attempt and more than six yards per carry rushing against the Hoos.

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