Virginia Cavaliers Football 2025: Season Outlook and Key Changes

Roster shakeups and a manageable schedule shape expectations for the Cavaliers

As the Virginia Cavaliers gear up for the 2025 football season, all eyes are on the offensive line—a group that, let’s be honest, could use a little TLC. Pete Fiutak of College Football News doesn’t mince words: if the Cavaliers want to keep their quarterback upright and the running backs moving forward, this unit needs to step up. Think of it as building a sturdy fence before letting the horses run wild.

Offensive tackle Wallace Unamba is expected to step into a starting role this year, and he’ll have some big shoes to fill. But hey, every great journey starts with a single snap, right?

The offseason has been anything but quiet for the Cavaliers’ roster. Quarterback Chandler Morris, fresh off a transfer from North Texas, is set to inject some new energy into the offense—think of him as a spark plug in a classic car. On the flip side, Virginia will have to figure out how to fill the shoes of wide receiver Malachi Fields, who’s headed to Notre Dame. Losing a key playmaker always stings, but that’s the nature of the transfer portal these days—one door closes, another opens (sometimes in South Bend).

Fiutak circles the rivalry game against Virginia Tech on November 29 in red ink, calling it a pivotal moment in the season. The Cavaliers will also be part of a season shaped by expanding ACC exposure, including the league’s historic international opener in the college football game in Rio de Janeiro. The good news? Virginia gets a week off to rest, recover, and maybe even practice a few trick plays before facing their longtime rivals. If you’re a fan, mark your calendar and stock up on snacks—this one’s always a rollercoaster.

Looking at the season as a whole, Fiutak suggests it could be déjà vu all over again for Virginia, with no games against Clemson, Notre Dame, or SMU on the docket. The crystal ball says the Cavaliers could notch around five wins, with a projected win total hovering near 5.5 games. Matchups against Coastal Carolina, Stanford, and William & Mary are looking pretty friendly, while games with Cal, Duke, Florida State, Louisville, NC State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Washington State are more of a coin toss. Other programs are navigating similar paths to bowl eligibility, including Vanderbilt’s outlook detailed in this Commodores’ 2026 schedule analysis. The silver lining? Fiutak doesn’t see any sure-fire losses lurking in the schedule—so there’s hope for a few pleasant surprises.

For the nitty-gritty details and a deeper dive, check out Pete Fiutak’s full team preview and schedule breakdown over at College Football News. The conference calendar is seeing changes beyond football as well, with tipoff times shifting in the ACC basketball schedule update. Trust us, it’s worth the read if you want to sound smart at your next tailgate.