VMI @ Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2010 ) Virginia Military 7, Virginia 48

Old rivals -- make that very old rivals -- Virginia Military Institute and Virginia meet for the 83rd time Saturday but only for the second time since 1991. Despite having played just once in the past 22 seasons, VMI is the third-most common opponent for the Cavaliers behind only North Carolina (114 games) and Virginia Tech (94 games). Virginia owns a 56-23-2 edge in the all-time series and has won nine straight against the Keydets.

Virginia coach Mike London has coached against and defeated VMI three times, including twice as head coach at Richmond. A game against a familar FCS foe couldn't have come at a better time for the Cavaliers, who have had an extra week to lick their wounds following a 59-10 home blowout loss to Oregon. Virginia, which opens ACC play next week at Pittsburgh, began the season with a 19-16 win over Brigham Young.

TIME: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: Virginia -44.

ABOUT VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE (1-2): The Keydets, who play in the Big South Conference, are coming in off a 37-24 loss to North Greenville, a Division II school located in South Carolina. Their only win was against another Division II program, Glenville State, 34-27. Quarterback Eric Kordenbrock has thrown for 300 yards in back-to-back games for the Keydets, who are coached by former South Carolina coach Sparky Woods.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (1-1): The Cavaliers spent much of the bye week tinkering with an offense that ranks just 115th in the FBS in total offense with an average of 260.5 yards per game. One plan is to use starting quarterback David Watford on more designed runs to help spark a sluggish running game. "I think David is a guy who can run the ball," London said.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Virginia has won its last four games following a bye and is 19-11 over the past 23 years after a two-week break.

2. The Cavaliers will dress only eight seniors against VMI, which ties them with Central Florida for second-fewest in the nation behind only South Carolina (5).

3. Virginia's defense has forced just one turnover in its first two games.

PREDICTION: Virginia 55, VMI 0