ECU (3-2) at Virginia (2-3)

The Cavaliers (2-3) finally found their rhythm in a 31-0 thumping of Maryland on Saturday, with new quarterback Marc Verica throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. The Pirates (3-2) are 1-1 against ACC opponents this season, with a season-opening win against Virginia Tech and a loss at N.C. State.

It's the second of three straight home games that head coach Al Groh is hoping can turn his team's season around.

A winning streak was nowhere near Virginia's realm of thinking last week. The Cavaliers were reeling from a 31-3 loss to perennially hapless Duke and fans were calling for Groh to be fired.

But while the Maryland win calmed the masses for the time being, another humbling loss would spark more negativity.

The Cavaliers are aware of how outsiders view their program and they're hoping to continue what they started against the Terrapins. The fewest amount of fans in years (50,727) showed up to that game, but those who were in attendance were pleased.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

QB Patrick Pinkney --the two-time Offensive Player of the Week has completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 1,017 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Pinkney ranks ninth in the conference in total offense at 220.4 yards per game.

WR Dwayne Harris -- eighth in C-USA with 126.8 all-purpose yards per game and seventh in kick-return average at 21.4 yards per return.

RB Cedric Peerman --the Cavaliers' emotional leader. When he's running hard, it's not easy to stop Virginia. Peerman was ailing the first three games of the season. He was mostly healthy against the Terrapins when he finished with 110 yards and a touchdown, but he left in the third quarter because of a lack of stamina. He didn't return.

LB Clint Sintim --leads the ACC with five sacks. The conference has acknowledged that he should have six, but a takedown of Duke quarterback Thad Lewis was ruled an incomplete pass although Lewis' knee hit the ground before he got rid of the ball. Sintim's sack total is tops among linebackers in the nation.