Surprising team emerges as a legit ACC contender

Virginia picked up a huge win in Week 5, beating No. 8 Florida State 46-38. The Cavaliers look the part of a legitimate contender to make the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game on Dec. 6.

Entering Week 6, the Cavaliers are one of three teams in the conference that are 2-0 in ACC play. Virginia will travel to undefeated Louisville on Saturday afternoon.

If the Cavaliers can get by the Cardinals on the road, that sets up Virginia nicely for a top finish in the ACC standings. UVA doesn't play any more ranked teams, although four of its final seven league encounters are on the road.

The only blemish on Virginia's resume is a 35-31 road loss to N.C. State on Sept. 6. The Cavaliers (4-1, 2-0 in the ACC) entered the AP Poll this week (No. 24) coming off the upset win over FSU.

It's the first time that Virginia has resided in the AP poll since 2019. It's also the first instance that the Cavaliers have been ranked under head coach Tony Elliott. Should the No. 18 Seminoles stun No. 3 Miami in Tallahassee in Week 6, UVA's triumph over FSU will look even better.

Through his first three seasons, Elliott had a combined 15-24 record as Virginia's head coach, and the ACC's preseason media poll forecasted a No. 14 finish for the Cavaliers in the league's pecking order.

Elliott's seat was among the hottest in the ACC entering the 2025 season, but that hot-seat talk has cooled off after the team's 4-1 start.

The Cavaliers have been aided by an infusion of NIL dollars, per CBS Sports, and a win at Louisville on Saturday would be further evidence that UVA is a significant contender to claim the ACC title in 2025.