Virginia's nine wins in '98 gave it a 12th consecutive season with at least seven wins, a run matched by only three Division I-A schools -- Florida State, Michigan and Nebraska. That consistency and the return of 15 starters makes the chance of extending the streak seem simple, but that might not be the case. Key losses on both sides of the ball will minimize the margin for error. Three of the first four games are on the road and the fifth game is against Virginia Tech. The Cavs will need their big players to have huge seasons in '99.

Several all-ACC returnees on the line will support the ground game. Second team all-conference center John St. Clair is back, alongside all-ACC guard Noel LaMontagne (6-5, 305). The line's other standout is tight end Casey Crawford, who averaged 12.4 yards a catch a year ago. Keeping Crawford healthy, a problem the past two years, is important for a developing passing game.

The multi-dimensional Aaron Brooks is gone. The quarterback job has been inherited by patient understudy Dan Ellis. The 6-2, 210-pounder has played in just eight games in his first two seasons. For his career, he is 19-for-39, 282 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Kevin Coffey is the Cavs' top returning receiver. He caught 23 passes for 583 yards and five TDs in 10 games a year ago.But he's not a true speed guy. Junior Ahmad Hawkins and sophomore James Johnson are capable of turning it up, though, and will be counted on to step up their game and stretch defenses with a deep threat.

There are additional holes on the four-man line, but depth that suggests they won't be too difficult to fill. Last season the Cavs recorded 36 sacks, second-best in school history. That will be difficult to duplicate, but defensive end Travis Griffith is going to lead the effort to do so. The senior tri-captain had three sacks and 40 tackles last year despite missing three games with injury. Sophomore Ljubomir Stamenich is the leading candidate at the other end position. Senior Maurice Anderson and sophomore Monsanto Pope are the only returning tackles with extensive starting experience. Each started five games last year. Junior Kofi Bawuah played in 10 games last year, starting two. He had a fine spring and could push for starting time.

Dwayne Stukes and Tim Spruill are expected to start at corner. Stukes has been battling injuries, both last season and this past spring, but he had two interceptions in just five starts in '98. Two years ago he earned honorable mention all-ACC honors as a sophomore. Spruill started 10 games last season and was second among Virginia backs in tackles with 56. The concern is at safety, where Welsh admits he'll be looking at little more than athletes, at this point. Antwan Harris, a converted corner, will be the free safety, while the other spot remains a bit of black hole.