COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANALYSIS Greg Madia: Virginia football, ACC and CFP predictions for 2026 season GREG MADIA The Daily Progress Aug 27, 2026 19 hrs ago 0 × Virginia right tackle Monroe Mills discusses his excitement for the season opener and his first game back from last year's ACL injury. Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save It’s finally here.kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^52:=JAC@8C6DD]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^hegh4`47\6e6d\cefc\he7h\2bb`6ge5h_abQm':C8:?:2 7@@E32== D6E 7@C (66< _[ D62D@?\@A6?:?8 4=2D9 282:?DE }r $E2E6k^2mk^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^52:=JAC@8C6DD]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^``43f5_7\af_d\c42a\2_6g\_4f_gdeac6e3Qm':C8:?:2 7@@E32== 862CD FA 7@C VG6CJ F?:BF6V (66< _ C64CF:E:?8 6G6?Ek^2mk^AmkAmp ?6H 4@==686 7@@E32== D62D@? 368:?D $2EFC52J[ 2?5 ':C8:?:2 H:== 36 A2CE @7 E96 76DE:G:E:6D[ 9@DE:?8 }r $E2E6 7@C 2 bib_ A]>] prr 4@?E6DE 2E $4@EE $E25:F> E92E’== 9625=:?6 E96 (66< _ D=2E6]k^Am People are also reading… Chilhowie business helps law enforcement with metal theft case No mercy: Smyth prosecutor, victim's nephew fight murderer's parole Saltville councilman's service remembered Written in ink: Artist tattoos 100 clients in single day Project leader: New Marion recreation area could benefit entire region Marion council to take up proposed loitering ordinance again Marion's Lincoln Theatre appeals to community for support Saltville PD's McVey reflects on month spent serving in Washington, D.C. Kids take the wheel: Touch-a-Truck returns to Glade Spring A dozen years after closure, construction begins on McMullin Bridge's replacement Smyth planners to review updated zoning regs for data centers Chilhowie High grad among winners of statewide Women's STEAM-H Essay Contest Dolly Parton, queen of country music, dies at 80 Smyth teacher represents region as Virginia Lottery awards public schools proceeds Healthy Gosnell is a key piece in Virginia Tech’s offense kAm(:E9 E92E :? >:?5[ :E’D ?@H @C ?6G6C 7@C AC65:4E:@?D]k^AmkAmw6C6 2C6 E9C66 3@=5 AC65:4E:@?D 7@C E96 r2G2=:6CD’ D62D@? A=FD 2 7@C642DE 7@C E96 prr DE2?5:?8D 2?5 A:4<D 7@C E96 r@==686 u@@E32== !=2J@77]k^Amk9am&'2 H:== H:? 2E =62DE `_ 82>6Dk^9amkAmu:7E9\J62C 4@249 %@?J t==:@EE 2?5 E96 r2G2=:6CD H:== 244@>A=:D9 2 762E E92E’D ?6G6C 366? 244@>A=:D965 367@C6 2E &'2]k^Am kAm%96 w@@D H:== C64@C5 324<\E@\324< 5@F3=6\5:8:E H:? 42>A2:8?D 7@C E96 7:CDE E:>6 :? D49@@= 9:DE@CJ[ 7@==@H:?8 FA =2DE J62C’D ``\b =6586C H:E9 2E =62DE `_ H:?D E9:D 4@>:?8 72==]k^Am kAm&'2’D :?G6DE>6?E :? :ED @776?D:G6 =:?6 2?5 5676?D:G6 7C@?E[ 2?5 :ED 564:D:@? E@ 8@ 2== :? 286 2?5 6IA6C:6?46 24C@DD E96 C@DE6C E@ 4C62E6 2? 6IEC6>6=J 566A E62> H:== >2<6 2 5:776C6?46 :? a_ae[ 6?23=:?8 E96 r2G2=:6CD E@ DE2J :? 4@?E6?E:@? 7@C 2 DA@E :? E96 prr 492>A:@?D9:A 82>6 E9C@F89@FE E96 D62D@?]k^AmkAm%96:C ~\{:?6 — E96 @=56DE :? 4@==686 7@@E32== =65 3J p==\prr AC6D62D@? 49@:46D :? =67E E24<=6 |4z2=6 q@=6J 2?5 =67E 8F2C5 }@29 y@D6J — :?4C62D6D E96 A@DD:3:=:E:6D 7@C DF446DD 2?5 AC@G:56D &'2 H:E9 2? :56?E:EJ[ >2E49:?8 t==:@EE’D 56D:C6 E@ 92G6 2 CF?\7:CDE @776?D6] p55 :? E92E &'2 92D >F=E:A=6 CF??:?8 324<D :E ECFDED 368:??:?8 H:E9 y6<2:= |:55=63C@@< 2?5 2 BF2CE6C324< H9@ 42? CF? :? q62F !C:3F=2[ 2?5 :E’D 62DJ E@ D66 9@H E96 w@@D’ A6CD@??6= >2CC:6D FA H:E9 E96 DEJ=6 E96J H2?E E@ A=2J H:E9 @? @776?D6]k^Am Virginia’s McKale Boley reacts before a play against Missouri during the 2025 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl last December in Jacksonville, Fla. Dustin Markland / Getty Images kAms676?D:G6=J[ E96 r2G2=:6CD 2C6 A2CE:4F=2C=J DEC@?8 FA E96 >:55=6 H:E9 7@FCE9\J62C C6EFC?6CD y2D@? w2>>@?5 2?5 p?E9@?J qC:EE@? @? E96 :?E6C:@C s\{:?6 2?5 2E =:?6324<6C H:E9 DE2C z2> #@3:?D@? 2?5 G6E6C2? |255@I |2C46==FD H9:=6 tE92? |:?E6C :D 324< 2E 7C66 D276EJ 2?5 |:49:82? EC2?D76C DEC@?8 D276EJ qC2?5J? w:==>2? 4@F=5 36 2 3C62<@FE DE2C]k^AmkAmxE 96=AD[ E@@[ E92E E96 w@@D 5@?’E 92G6 E@ A=2J 282:?DE AC6D62D@?\=628F6 72G@C:E6 |:2>: ?@C {@F:DG:==6 @C v6@C8:2 %649 E9:D D62D@?] $@[ E96 r2G2=:6CD’ D4965F=6 :D 72G@C23=6 6?E6C:?8 E96 J62C[ E9@F89[ C@25 EC:AD E@ u=@C:52 $E2E6 @? ~4E] b[ $|& @? ~4E] `f 2?5 C:G2= ':C8:?:2 %649 @? }@G] ag 2C6 EC:4<J] $|& 92D J6E E@ =@D6 2 9@>6 82>6 2D 2 =628F6 >6>36C 2?5 :ED `c\a >2C< :? prr A=2J @G6C E96 =2DE EH@ J62CD E@AD E96 4@?76C6?46] %96 6?4@F?E6C :? s2==2D 4@F=5 DH:?8 H96E96C E96 r2G2=:6CD @C E96 |FDE2?8D 92G6 2? :?D:56 EC24< E@ r92C=@EE6 7@C E96 =628F6 E:E=6 3@FE]k^Am kAm&'2 2=D@ 92D D6G6? 82>6D 2E 9@>6 2?5 @?=J A=2JD 7@FC ECF6 C@25 82>6D E9:D D62D@?] %96:C ?@?\4@?76C6?46 >66E:?8 H:E9 (6DE ':C8:?:2 @? $6AE] `h :D 2 ?6FEC2=\D:E6 4@?E6DE :? r92C=@EE6]k^Amk9am#@3:?D@? H:== =625 E96 w@@D :? E24<=6Dk^9amkAm%9:D :D?’E 2? @G6C=J 2 DFCAC:D:?8 AC@;64E:@? 8:G6? E92E #@3:?D@? :D E96 r2G2=:6CD’ >@DE\:>A24E7F= A=2J6C] qFE :7 #@3:?D@? A246D E96 w@@D :? E24<=6D[ 96’== D?2A 2 E9C66\J62C CF? :? H9:49 2 D276EJ 92D =65 &'2 :? E24<=6D]k^Am kAmu@C>6C w@@D D276EJ y@?2D $2?<6C =65 &'2 :? a_ab 2?5 a_ac :? E24<=6D H:E9 `_f 2?5 hb[ C6DA64E:G6=J[ 2?5 E96? =2DE D62D@?[ 6I\r2G2=:6CD D276EJ s6G:? }62= yC] E@AA65 E96 E62> H:E9 gg E24<=6D]k^Am kAmw:==>2? :D A=2J:?8 E96 DA@E AC6G:@FD=J @44FA:65 3J $2?<6C 2?5 }62=]k^AmkAmq67@C6 #@3:?D@?’D pr{ :?;FCJ =2DE }@G6>36C[ E9@F89[ 96 925 ef E24<=6D 2?5 E92E =65 E96 r2G2=:6CD 2E E96 E:>6] %92E’D 6G6? 27E6C 96 >:DD65 E96 7:CDE E9C66 82>6D @7 a_ad 3642FD6 @7 2 4@==2C3@?6 :?;FCJ]k^Am kAm%96 E9@F89E 96C6 :D E92E 2D =@?8 2D #@3:?D@? DE2JD 962=E9J[ 96’== 36 23=6 E@ 92G6 D:>:=2C AC@5F4E:@? E@ H92E 96 244F>F=2E65 =2DE J62C :? @?=J 6:89E E@E2= 82>6D] %9:D AC65:4E:@? DE:== 9@=5D 6G6? :7 96 5@6D?’E A=2J :? $2EFC52J’D @A6?6C 282:?DE }r $E2E6] w6’D 2 82>6\E:>6 564:D:@? 3642FD6 96’D DE:== H@C<:?8 324< 7C@> =2DE J62C’D pr{ :?;FCJ]k^Am k9am&'2 H:== A246 E96 prr :? CFD9:?8 %sDk^9amkAm&'2 7:?:D965 =2DE D62D@? H:E9 ah CFD9:?8 E@F495@H?D 2D 2 E62>[ 2?5 E9@D6 H6C6 E96 E9:C5 >@DE :? E96 prr 369:?5 v6@C8:2 %649’D b` 2?5 u=@C:52 $E2E6’D b`]k^Am kAm%96 w@@D H:== 6I4665 E92E ?F>36C E9:D 72== 2?5 =625 E96 prr :? CFD9:?8 D4@C6D 3642FD6 E96J’C6 >@C6\862C65 E@ CF? E96 32== E92? 6G6C 367@C6 :? t==:@EE’D E6?FC6 H:E9 E96:C G6E6C2? ~\{:?6[ 36GJ @7 CF??:?8 324<D 2?5 7C2?<=J E96:C =24< @7 6IA6C:6?46 2E C646:G6C]k^AmkAmu@C>6C DE2C CF??:?8 324< y’|2C: %2J=@C CFD965 7@C `c @7 E96 ah CFD9:?8 E@F495@H?D =2DE J62C H9:=6 6I\324<FA w2CC:D@? (2J=66 925 D:I CFD9:?8 D4@C6D 2?5 7@C>6C BF2CE6C324< r92?5=6C |@CC:D D4@C65 7:G6 E@F495@H?D @? E96 8C@F?5]k^Am kAm|:55=63C@@< H2D FD65 :? 5:C64E\D?2A @AA@CEF?:E:6D =2DE 72== 2E |:55=6 %6??6DD66 $E2E6 D:>:=2C=J E@ 9@H &'2 FD65 %2J=@C H:E9 E96 5:C64E D?2A :? D9@CE\J2C5286 @AA@CEF?:E:6D] p?5 :7 |:55=63C@@< ?665D 2 DF3[ CF??:?8 324< !6JE@? {6H:D D9@H65 =2DE J62C 2E %6??6DD66 E92E 96 42? AF?49 E96 32== :?E@ E96 6?5 K@?6 :? 8@2=\=:?6 DA@ED] w6 925 D6G6? CFD9:?8 E@F495@H?D 7@C E96 '@=F?E66CD =2DE J62C] &'2 42? FD6 CF??:?8 324<D )2G:6C qC@H?[ }@29 '2F89? 2?5 )2J s2G:D[ E@@]k^Am kAm!=FD[ !C:3F=2 92D >@C6 CF??:?8 23:=:EJ E92? 6G6? |@CC:D 5:5 =2DE J62C] ~G6C E96 4@FCD6 @7 9:D 7@FC AC6G:@FD D62D@?D[ !C:3F=2 92D CFD965 7@C `e E@F495@H?D] |@CC:D 2CC:G65 2E &'2 H:E9 @?=J `_ CFD9:?8 E@F495@H?D @G6C 9:D AC:@C 7:G6 J62CD]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mx? E96 prr[ E96 7:?2= DE2?5:?8D H:== =@@< =:<6 E9:Dik^DEC@?8m |:2>:[ $|&[ ':C8:?:2[ {@F:DG:==6[ v6@C8:2 %649[ r=6>D@?[ }r $E2E6[ r2=:7@C?:2[ sF<6[ (2<6 u@C6DE[ ':C8:?:2 %649[ !:EED3FC89[ u=@C:52 $E2E6[ }@CE9 r2C@=:?2[ $E2?7@C5[ $JC24FD6 2?5 q@DE@? r@==686]k^Am kAm|:2>: H:== 362E $|& :? E96 prr 492>A:@?D9:A 82>6]k^Am kAm&?56C 4@249 |2C:@ rC:DE@32=[ E96 wFCC:42?6D AC@G65 E96>D6=G6D 5FC:?8 =2DE D62D@?’D CF? E@ E96 r@==686 u@@E32== !=2J@77 ?2E:@?2= E:E=6 82>6] q642FD6 E96J C6EFC? 2 DEC@?8 ?F4=6FD 7C@> E92E 3F?49 :? CF??:?8 324< |2C< u=6E496C yC][ H9@ H2D 2 A@DED62D@? DE2C[ 2=@?8 H:E9 5J?2>:4 H:56 C646:G6C |2=249: %@?6J 2?5 DE625J =:?6324<6C |@92>65 %@FC6 H9:=6 E96J’G6 ?@E23=J 25565 sF<6 EC2?D76C BF2CE6C324< s2C:2? |6?D29 2?5 6I\|:DD@FC: 5676?D:G6 6?5 s2>@? (:=D@?[ E96J 92G6 E96 36DE 4@==64E:@? @7 E2=6?E :? E96 =628F6] %96C6’D ?@ C62D@? H9J |:2>: D9@F=5?’E 7:?:D9 `a\_ @C ``\` :? E96 C68F=2C D62D@? 56A6?5:?8 @? H92E 92AA6?D H96? E96 wFCC:42?6D EC2G6= E@ }@EC6 s2>6 7@C 2 ?@?\4@?76C6?46 82>6]k^Am kAm%96 @E96C DA@E :? r92C=@EE6 42>6 5@H? E@ &'2 2?5 $|&[ 3FE E96 |FDE2?8D 8@E E96 ?@5 3642FD6 E96 C68F=2C\D62D@? >66E:?8 36EH66? E96 w@@D 2?5 E96 !@?:6D :D :? s2==2D[ H9:49 72G@CD $|&] |FDE2?8D BF2CE6C324< z6G:? y6??:?8D :D 8@:?8 @? 9:D E9:C5 J62C 2D 2 DE2CE6C 7@C E96> 2D H6== 2?5 E92E 6IA6C:6?46 >2EE6CD :? 3:8 82>6D]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8m%96 ru! 7:6=5 H:== =@@< =:<6 E9:Dik^DEC@?8m }@] `\D665 }@EC6 s2>6[ }@] a\D665 ~C68@? Wq:8 %6? 492>A:@?X[ }@] b\D665 |:2>: Wprr 492>A:@?X[ }@] c\D665 v6@C8:2 W$tr 492>A:@?X[ }@] d\D665 x?5:2?2[ }@] e\D665 %6I2D %649 Wq:8 `a 492>A:@?X[ }@] f\D665 %6I2D[ }@] g\D665 p=232>2[ }@] h\D665 ~9:@ $E2E6[ }@] `_\D665 $|&[ }@] ``\D665 %6??6DD66 2?5 }@] `a\D665 }@CE9 s2<@E2 $E2E6 WvC@FA @7 $:I C6AC6D6?E2E:G6X]k^Am kAm%92E D6ED FA 7:CDE\C@F?5 >2E49FAD @7 ~9:@ $E2E6\p=232>2 :? %FD42=@@D2[ }@CE9 s2<@E2 $E2E6\x?5:2?2 :? q=@@>:?8E@?[ $|&\%6I2D :? pFDE:? 2?5 %6??6DD66\%6I2D %649 :? {F33@4< H9:=6 }@EC6 s2>6[ ~C68@?[ |:2>: 2?5 v6@C8:2 62C? 3J6D :?E@ E96 BF2CE6C7:?2=D]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8m%96 ?2E:@?2= 492>A:@? H:== 36ik^DEC@?8m }@EC6 s2>6]k^AmkAm%96 xC:D9’D A2E9 E@ 2 4C@H? H:== 92G6 2=C625J :?4=F565 C68F=2C\D62D@? H:?D 2E 9@>6 @G6C |:2>: 2?5 $|& :? }@G6>36C 367@C6 ?2G:82E:?8 2 ru! 3C24<6E E92E H@F=5 :?4=F56 G:4E@C:6D @G6C p=232>2[ 5676?5:?8 492>A x?5:2?2 367@C6 2 C6>2E49 H:E9 E96 wFCC:42?6D :? E96 ?2E:@?2= 492>A:@?D9:A 82>6]k^Am kAm}@EC6 s2>6’D ~\{:?6 D9@F=5 36 E6CC:7:4 2D :E AC@E64ED 7@C 6I46==6?E BF2CE6C324< ry r2CC H9:=6 @? 5676?D6 E96 xC:D9 762EFC6 @?6 @7 E96 36DE 8C@FA @7 5676?D:G6 324<D :? E96 4@F?ECJ =65 3J 4@C?6C {6@?2C5 |@@C6 2?5 D276EJ p5@? $9F=6C] p7E6C ?2CC@H=J >:DD:?8 @FE @? E96 ru! =2DE D62D@?[ E96 xC:D9 9@:DE E96 4C@H? E9:D E:>6 2C@F?5] k^Am Greg Madiagmadia@dailyprogress.com@GregMadia on X 0 Comments Locations Virginia Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story UVa RT Mills on excitement for season opener, first game back from injury Virginia right tackle Monroe Mills discusses his excitement for the season opener and his first game back from last year's ACL injury. Virginia football set for Week 0, season-opening clash against NC State Virginia football is set to begin its 2026 campaign with Saturday's Week 0 season-opening tilt against NC State. Virginia football gears up for 'very unique' Week 0 recruiting event Virginia football has a 'very unique' recruiting opportunity in Week 0 and the Hoos are planning to take advantage of it by hosting dozens and… Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Hokies' Franklin, Jackson on wide receivers 49ers Owner Jed York Arrested in Ohio Prostitution-Related Sting | TMZ Sports 49ers Owner Jed York Arrested in Ohio Prostitution-Related Sting | TMZ Sports Hokies' Franklin on battle to be the No. 3 tailback Hokies' Franklin on battle to be the No. 3 tailback SEC & Big Ten Rule Changes for NFL Drafted Players SEC & Big Ten Rule Changes for NFL Drafted Players
UVa RT Mills on excitement for season opener, first game back from injury Virginia right tackle Monroe Mills discusses his excitement for the season opener and his first game back from last year's ACL injury.
Virginia football set for Week 0, season-opening clash against NC State Virginia football is set to begin its 2026 campaign with Saturday's Week 0 season-opening tilt against NC State.
Virginia football gears up for 'very unique' Week 0 recruiting event Virginia football has a 'very unique' recruiting opportunity in Week 0 and the Hoos are planning to take advantage of it by hosting dozens and…
