July 22, 2012

Virginia was picked to finish fifth in the Coastal Division last season by members of the media. The Wahoos then went out and won eight games to finish second in the division and earn a spot in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

This time around, the Cavaliers know they won't be able to sneak up teams, according to Perry Jones and Steve Greer.

The senior co-captains were Virginia's representatives at the annual ACC Football Kickoff Sunday in Greensboro, North Carolina.

All 12 ACC schools had two student-athletes available to the media Sunday. The coach's turn will be Monday, with Mike London scheduled to speak sometime after 3 p.m.

Jones and Greer spoke on a number of topics Sunday, from the addition of highly-regarded Alabama transfer Philip Sims to the locker room and any chemistry issues that might arise from that, to the expectations for the team after a successful season last year.

"We understand we're not going to be sneaking up on teams like we did last year," Greer said. "We might have a little bigger target on our backs so we have to be that much more focused and disciplined."

Jones agreed, saying the Chick-fil-A Bowl was a fine accomplishment, but the 'Hoos have their eyes set on a bigger prize this season.

"Now we know we're a good enough team to get to that point so now it's time to take it another step which is go above that," Jones said.

Virginia opens it season at home with Richmond on September 1.