Virginia Cavaliers Jekail Middlebrook
Jekail Middlebrook scored a rushing touchdown for Virginia last week. ~ Photo courtesy Virginia Athletics Media Relations

As the 2026 season started, the Virginia football team looked like it had picked up where it left off in 2025. A 2-0 start with two wide margins of victory followed an 11-win season. Then West Virginia slammed the brakes on the Hoos’ momentum with a 38-27 victory in Charlotte.