Groh: Florida State down, but dangerous

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Perhaps the biggest victory Virginia has had since Al Groh became the head coach in 2001 came just over a year ago when the Cavaliers played brilliantly and beat fourth-ranked Florida State 26-21 at Scott Stadium.<br> <br> The Seminoles (4-4, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) are on the schedule again this week for Groh&#39;s young team, and they look far less imposing. They are last in the ACC&#39;s Atlantic Division, have lost two in a row and some of their imposing mystique.<br> <br> But that doesn&#39;t mean they aren&#39;t dangerous, Groh said Tuesday.<br> <br> ``When we watch Florida State extensively, what we continue to see is lots of speed and lots of talent,&#39;&#39; Groh said. ``Nothing&#39;s changed in that respect.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The difference between this year&#39;s team and the ones that have dominated the ACC for 15 seasons is experience. The Seminoles, for example, had four defensive players drafted by NFL teams in the first round after last season, putting backup players with limited experience into prime time roles before they expected to be there, Groh said.<br> <br> ``That&#39;s quite a talent drain to replace,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> The Seminoles made another change last week when Xavier Lee started at quarterback in place of the sidelined Drew Weatherford, and they said Lee will start again this week. That&#39;s good to know, but no less easier to prepare for, Groh said.<br> <br> ``As he settled into it and knew he was going to be in the game the whole way last week, he began to give us views that he can be a very explosive runner,&#39;&#39; Groh said of Lee, who ran for 50 yards and threw for 286 in a 27-27 loss at Maryland.<br> <br> Virginia (4-5, 3-2) has played well for most of three consecutive games it has won the last two and has seen its patience through early season struggles pay off.<br> <br> But the game at Doak Campbell Stadium will be its first on the road since a 31-21 loss at East Carolina a month earlier, and the first time redshirt freshman quarterback Jameel Sewell and several other young players experience the 82,300-seat stadium.<br> <br> Senior corner and co-captain Marcus Hamilton said he&#39;ll do his best to prepare them not only for the atmosphere, but for a team that looks better than its record.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s a great environment to play in,&#39;&#39; he said he&#39;ll tell them. ``The fans are loud and they really back up their team. Don&#39;t get caught up in the excitement.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Oh, and one other thing:<br> <br> ``They&#39;re still Florida State. It&#39;s the same team and they still have the same kind of athletes they have every year. ... At any time, they can turn it around,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> Even by announcing that Lee will again start, coach Bobby Bowden and his staff haven&#39;t made it any easier for Groh and his assistants to figure out the best approach.<br> <br> Against Boston College this season, the Seminoles started in a four wide receiver set and played three and four wideouts almost all game long, Groh said. Then last week against Maryland, they started in the I formation and rushed for 172 yards.<br> <br> ``It runs the full range,&#39;&#39; Groh said of the Seminoles&#39; offensive focus.<br> <br> ``You could have a heck of a practice today, but if you choose to work on the wrong things or you miss the mark in terms of what they do and there&#39;s such a range of what they do it is a little bit like pin the tail on the donkey.&#39;&#39;