Virginia football was in a position that a lot of programs find themselves in, where its roster was just not good enough to get over the hump. UVA improved by two wins last season, but after starting the season 4-1, they were only able to earn one more win on the year. The Cavs come into the Louisville game for the second straight year at 4-1, but they enter this game off of one of the biggest wins in recent program history. Tony Elliot may have turned the corner with his choice to mine the transfer portal to improve his roster. Time will tell if it gets his team to a bowl game this season.

The most important addition from the portal this offseason is at quarterback with Chandler Morris. Morris is in his sixth year in college after spending time at Oklahoma and TCU before starring at North Texas last year. The son of Chad Morris, Chandler, has had a lifetime of high-level coaching, and his time with different programs has given him an opportunity to learn from some of the best offensive coordinators in the country.

Morris is an undersized quarterback with a live arm and the ability to use his legs when needed. Against Florida State last weekend, Morris scrambled for two touchdown runs while scoring on a read option for another score. Morris also laid a nice pass down the sideline for a touchdown pass after starting the game with a touchdown pass to his tight end after going through multiple reads. Morris is an up-and-down player as he threw three bad interceptions in the game, with all of them being forced throws down the field. However, he can lead this offense to a lot of points with the weapons he has around him.

The Hoos have a plethora of running backs to work with to lead their top-15 rushing offense. J’Mari Taylor leads the way with 79 yards per game and 7 touchdowns. Taylor runs about as hard as any running back in the ACC, even though he isn’t a big back at 5-9/204. Per PFF, he is 9th in the country in yards after contact, while averaging about 4.5 yards after contact per carry. Louisville has done well tackling ball carriers this year, but Taylor is a different animal. He runs downhill, and Virginia uses their balance to give him opportunities to run against light boxes where he can get out in space.

Lexington native Xavier Brown somehow made it out of the state without an offer from anyone, and he is now the second man up for the Hoos at running back. Brown scored on a 46-yard touchdown pass in last year’s game, where he showed his speed down the sideline. He hasn’t been able to break one yet this year, but he has the speed to break a long run. Noah Brown has been out with an injury, so we should see Harrison Waylee for depth purposes. Waylee has the longest run of any player in the country with a 97-yard run against William and Mary.

Virginia lost their top receiver from last season to the portal, but they went out themselves to find some help to replace him. Trell Harris missed most of last season after transferring in from Kent State, but he has been the top receiver for the team this year and a legit deep threat. Harris is the player to watch in the passing game after the Cards were beaten deep a few times last weekend. Harris had 145 yards and 3 touchdowns against Stanford a few weeks ago.

Cam Ross is another transfer receiver who has paid off for the Hoos. Cam Ross transferred in from James Madison and immediately put up 224 total yards in his first game for UVA. Ross is a speedy slot receiver, and the Cavs have worked to get the ball in his hands so that he can get to work in the open field. He has the speed to outrun the defense, but he also does a good job of navigating blocks in space as a runner. Again, the Cards have tackled well this year, but this team will test them more than anyone else on the schedule to this point.

Dak Twitty and Sage Ennis are more than capable tight end options in this offense, and the staff does a really good job of spreading the ball around and keeping them involved. Twitty is a converted receiver with great size at 6-5/245, while Ennis is more of a traditional tight end. Twitty has good speed and can stretch the middle of the field well. Louisville’s linebackers and safeties will be able to show that last week wasn’t a fluke when it comes to their pass coverage in the middle of the field.

The Hoos really hit the portal hard on the offensive line, but injuries have been an issue for them since the spring. Former Card, Monroe Mills, tore his ACL in the spring. Makalin Thomas is out with an injury, and David Wohlabaugh, who was a starter at Syracuse last year, is out as well. The Hoos haven’t let the injuries stop them from being one of the most high-powered offenses in the country. The Cavs are fifth in the country in points per game and yards per game, and the offensive line is a big factor in that. McKale Boley is one of the best left tackles in the ACC, and the Cavs’ portal strategy really shows on the line. Virginia only has 5 non-seniors on the entire offensive depth chart, and their experience is evident when you watch them play.