'Hoos Hot - Cavalier Top 5 (Week 6)

[caption id="attachment_463" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Fans saw Virginia football at it's best on Saturday. Photo / Susan Birckhead"][/caption]

It was a great weekend to be a Cavalier, as the Wahoos triumphed over the #12 Yellow Jacekts 24-21 in Charlottesville.  Coming off of a bye week, Virginia looked like a completely different team - completely dominating in the offensive trenches and shutting down Georgia Tech's powerful triple-option attack that had netted them 533 yards per game entering Saturday's contest.  Several Cavaliers had huge days, with many players setting new personal bests in several statistical categories.  As such, I felt it appropriate to shake up the Cavalier Top 5 this week - especially considering that many of the players who stood out on Saturday built off of similarly strong efforts in the over-time victory against Idaho.  Through 6 weeks of play, here is how the updated 'Hoos Hot rankings shake out:

1. Perry Jones (Last Week - #2)

[caption id="attachment_464" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Perry Jones has been Mr. Versatility this year for the Cavaliers. Photo / Susan Birckhead"][/caption]

For the third time this year, we have a new name atop of the of the 'Hoos Hot rankings.  After gaining a personal best of 110 yards on the ground against Idaho, Perry Jones came out on Saturday and put up a very impressive 149 rushing yards against Al Groh's infamous 3-4 defense.  While he didn't find the end zone, Jones also had 37 receiving yards on the day - including a critical third down reception that resulted in a first down and gave the Cavaliers the ability to continue milking the clock late in the fourth quarter.  Jones has been Mr. Versatility for Virginia this year, averaging 125 yards per game (85.7 yards on the ground and another 39.3 yards recieving per game).  While Kevin Parks has been extremely impressive in his ability to find the end zone, it's Perry Jones that has been the work horse for the Cavaliers outside of the twenties.  With the offensive line starting to click, Jones' production should remain high against NC State this weekend.

2. Kevin Parks (Last Week - #1)

[caption id="attachment_465" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Kevin Parks races to the end zone for his record-tying 7th rushing score of the season. Photo / Susan Birckhead"][/caption]

It was hard to slip KP out of the top spot, especially considering considering is strong performance on Saturday - one that resulting in Parks tying the Virginia freshman school record for rushing touchdowns in a season (7).  Parks was as equally impressive in chewing up yards and, more importantly, the clock in the waning minutes of Saturday's game - allowing Mike Rocco to line the Cavaliers up in the victory formation prior to a sea of students swarming the players on the field.  Jones and Parks are essentially 1a and 1b in my opinion, but Jones' versatility is what fuels the Cavalier offense.  I fully expect Parks to come out and have another solid outing against the Wolfpack - a game in which he should find himself alone at the top of the Cavalier record books after notching his 8th rushing score on the season. 

3. Chase Minnifield (Last Week - 'Hoos Knocking)

[caption id="attachment_466" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Chase Minnifield has returned to form just in time for the Cavaliers. Photo / Susan Birckhead"][/caption]

Chase continues his quick ascent up the rankings, rising all the way the third spot through 6 weeks of play.  After less than steller stretch of play early in the season, Chase has been a man on a mission in the month of the October - coming away with an interception is each game and playing a pivotal role in shutting down the Yellow Jacket's rushing attack.  There is no coindence that Chase's elevated level of play has come in games that the Cavaliers have won - to play good football, you need your best players at their best.  Moving forward, Minnifield will need to continue his hot streak as the Cavaliers will face several pass-oriented offenses in the coming weeks.

4. Oday Aboushi (Last Week - 'Hoos Knocking)

[caption id="attachment_467" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Oday Aboushi has led the charge this year for the strong Cavalier rushing attack. Photo / Susan Birckhead"][/caption]

After such a dominating performance by Virginia's offensive line on Saturday, I'd be remiss not to feature one of Virginia's mules as a member of the Cavalier Top 5. Aboushi has been in and out of the Cavalier Top 5 all season and, through 6 games, has been the most consistent lineman for the Wahoos.  If this group continues to gel, Virginia will continue to add to the win column - and Aboushi will remain a fixture in the Cavalier Top 5.

5. Matt Conrath (Last Week - 'Hoos Knocking)

[caption id="attachment_468" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Matt Conrath pulls down GT quarterback Tevon Washington in the backfield on Saturday. Photo / Susan Birckhead"][/caption]

At the beginning of the season, it appeared that defensive tackle Matt Conrath might not end the year as a starter - much less find his way into the Cavalier Top 5.  After two outstanding back-to-back performances, however, Conrath has done just that.  Coming off of a stellar performance against Idaho in which he notched 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble, Conrath dominated up front against the Yellow Jackets - notching a career best 9 tackles and blocking a field goal that would prove to be key as the Cavaliers game away with a 3 point victory.  For his efforts, Conrath earned himself ACC Player of the Week honors.  As unexpected as Will Hill's stellar play has been up front this season, Matt Conrath's surge in the month of October has been pleasantly surprising.

'Hoos Knocking on the Door?

Several Cavalier Top 5 regulars find themselves in the 'Hoos Knocking section of this week's rankings - not so much due to their declining level of play but rather due to the elevated level of play of their teammates that make up the above list.  We also have a brand new face this week, with Clifton Richardson cracking the list of the first time.  With half of the season in the books, here are the Cavaliers that are knocking at the door of the Cavalier Top 5:

Robert Randolph (Last Week - #3)

[caption id="attachment_471" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Robert Randolph is 11-for-15 on field goal attempts this season. Photo / Susan Birckhead"][/caption]

Robert Randolph continues his slide down the rankings, partly due to the fact that he is only 1-4 through the last two games.  That being said, Virginia has been less reliant on the foot of Randolph through the last 3 games as he has only attempted 5 kicks compared to the 10 attempts through the season's first 3 games.  Regardless, Virginia - who is less than average when it comes to scoring offense (73rd amongst FBS schools) - needs Randolph to come back into form as it tries to secure at least 2 more victories over the season's remaining 6 ACC games.

Will Hill (Last Week - #4)

Though Hill's production has slipped some in recent weeks, this can be largely attributed to the increased level of play of his defensive tackle counterparts Matt Conrath and Nick Jenkins.  Hill has still been the most pleasant surprise for me on the defensive side of the ball for the Cavaliers and I expect him to remain one of the top players moving foward as Coach Reid continues to rotate fresh bodies along the defensive line.

Kris Burd (Last Week - #5)

After a one-catch performance against Georgia Tech (though he was not targeted ver often), Burd just slips out of the Cavalier Top 5 in this week's rankings.  Through 6 games, he still remains the go-to-guy for Virginia through the air, leading the team with 403 receiving yards this year.  Kris has yet to find the end zone, however, and a trip to the promised land against NC State would put Burd in nice position to re-enter the Top 5.

Cam Johnson (Last Week - 'Hoos Knocking)

[caption id="attachment_473" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Cam Johnson returned to the field on Saturday wearing pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Photo / Susan Birckhead"][/caption]

After sitting out against Idaho, Cam Johnson returned to action against Georgia Tech and had himself a relatively quiet - but solid game, nonetheless.  Johnson was particuarly good in holding the edge against the Yellow Jackets, not taking the bait on numerous reverses.  As previously mentioned, Virginia needs it great players to play up to their potential - and Cam is no exception.   Now that he appears to be back at 100%, look for Johnson to elavate his level of play as Virginia enters the crux of ACC competition.

Clifton Richardson (Last Week - Unranked)

[caption id="attachment_472" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Clifton Richardson gashes through the GT defense for a 22-yard touchdown scamper. Photo / Susan Birckhead"][/caption]

Though his numbers may be overshadowed by his running mates Perry Jones and Kevin Parks, Clifton Richardson has masterfully served his purpose as a change of pace back for the Cavaliers.  On Saturday, Virginia fans got a glimpse of what the future holds during Richardson's beautiful 22 yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter - one that ended with Richardson keeping his balance and streching the ball across the goal line at the very last second to notch the score.  The only knock on Richardson has been his tendancy to put the ball on the ground, something coaches will no doubt be working with him on as his career progresses.  Fans are going to love watching Clifton run the ball for the Cavaliers in the coming years and he will continue to be an integral part of this year's rushing attack.