Beating FSU Is a Springboard, Not a Summit

Virginia football earned national attention Friday night with a 46–38 double-overtime victory over No. 8 Florida State. Chandler Morris’s dual-threat ability, J’Mari Taylor’s punishing runs, and Ja’Son Prevard’s game-changing interception turned the Cavaliers into instant storylines, making headlines and capturing the respect of the college football world. For a program that has long fought for recognition, this win was a statement: Virginia is back, and it belongs in the conversation.

But as former Louisville standout Devin Neal Jr. pointed out, the Cavaliers must flush the Florida State win and treat it as a stepping stone, not a peak. Momentum and accolades are nice, but they don’t win the next game. The process that produced a historic upset must continue, unbroken, if UVA wants to prove it can compete consistently on the national stage. Why change what’s working?

Louisville, undefeated and coming off a 17-point comeback against Pittsburgh, presents a formidable challenge. The Cardinals’ speed, resilience, and home-field energy mean UVA must show the same discipline and execution that made them successful against FSU. Morris, Taylor, Xavier Brown, and the rest of the team must rely on the balance, toughness, and clutch performance that allowed them to control drives, finish scoring opportunities, and make critical plays in overtime.

The Cavaliers’ win over Florida State has earned them national recognition — the rankings, media coverage, and fan excitement are proof. But this team’s identity is built on fundamentals: disciplined tackling, ball security, smart play-calling, and mental toughness. Louisville will test each of those areas. To continue climbing, UVA cannot dwell on past glory; they must return to the basics and execute the process that has worked so far.

Beat Louisville, and the Cavaliers transform from a one-week story into a legitimate ACC contender. The Florida State win was a springboard — a chance to show the nation that this team is for real. The spotlight is theirs, but the challenge is clear: stay focused, stick to what works, and keep building.