Virginia Football finishes 29th in final 2019-20 AP Poll

Well, the 2019-20 college football season is officially over. Heisman winner Joe Burrow and the LSU version of the Tigers took home the NCAA title last night with a convincing win over the Clemson Tigers, wrapping things up in a tidy bow.

The final AP Poll of the season was released late Monday night/early Tuesday morning, with the Cavaliers landing just outside the Top 25 at No. 29.

Virginia had a resurgent season, finishing the regular season 9-3 and winning the Coastal Division for the first time in program history. Virginia defeated Virginia Tech for the first time since 2003 and went on to play in its first-ever ACC Championship Game and Orange Bowl.

Florida, who beat the Hoos in the Orange Bowl, finished at No. 6.

Despite an absurd amount of defensive injuries over the course of the season, the Hoos acquitted themselves well in the Orange Bowl and finished the season with a lot of momentum heading into the 2020-21 campaign.

Quarterback Bryce Perkins cemented himself as a Cavalier legend with 3,530 yards passing, 22 passing touchdowns, 769 yards rushing, and 11 rushing touchdowns on the season. Receiver and kick returner Joe Reed racked up conference and national awards, and fellow wideout Hasise Dubois finished with 1,062 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Defender Bryce Hall’s season ended in Miami during the regular season with a gruesome ankle injury, but was one of the best corners in the country. Virginia’s linebacking corps (Jordan Mack, Charles Snowden, and Zane Zandier to name a few) were outstanding, and kicker Brian Delaney became a reliable scoring option.

Next season, Virginia will face No. 2 Clemson and opens the season against No. 4 Georgia in Atlanta. The Cavaliers will lose a lot of pieces, but welcome Brennan Armstrong to the starting QB spot and return the likes of Noah Taylor and Terrell Jana. Buckle up, Hoo fans.

Here’s the final poll: