If the age-old axiom is true that fans remember what teams do in November, then Virginia hasn’t given its followers much to reminisce about.

Virginia’s seniors really don’t know what’s about to hit them this Saturday when they say goodbye to Scott Stadium.

Where’s Dr. Lou when you need him?

UVa suddenly finds its postseason hopes in need of life support.

Yet, trying to beat the masses, Sintim left in darkness to beat the traffic in an attempt to vote with ease in this year’s election.

Instead of assembling in their normal fashion, nearly every player inside Virginia’s locker room huddled just a few feet away from Cedric Peerman on Saturday to offer support.

In a matter of minutes, Virginia fumbled away its lead in ACC’s Coastal Division and perhaps its chance to play in the league’s championship game.

Certainly, there have been many factors in Virginia’s reversal of fortunes on the football field over the past month: a quarterback who gets it, a tough-minded defense, the return of Cedric Peerman and Kevin Ogletree’s ability to stretch opposing defenses, just to name a few. One that is often overlooked is the steady improvement of the offensive line.

Every weekend in the fall, however, football serves as Stanley’s escape from the hectic grind, just as it will when Virginia (5-3, 3-1 ACC) entertains Miami (5-3, 2-2) at Scott Stadium on Saturday.

As they have done over the course of their current four-game winning streak, the Cavaliers (5-3, 3-1 ACC) have promptly shifted their focus from one opponent to the next in rapid fashion.

For the second straight week, the Cavaliers mounted an improbable comeback in the second half, defeating No. 21 Georgia Tech 24-17 to move into sole possession of first place in the ACC’s Coastal Division. It marked Virginia’s first road win over a ranked opponent since upending Clemson in 2001.

Virginia offensive coordinator Mike Groh learned a long time ago, that when in doubt, hand the ball to Cedric Peerman.

John Phillips, who had a pivotal 19-yard catch in overtime, hopes the win and Virginia’s resurgence will silence the critics that longed for coach Al Groh’s departure after a 31-3 loss at Duke.

For weeks now, the Cavaliers have been struggling to find their identity as a football team, and after Saturday night’s dramatic, 16-13 upset over No. 18 North Carolina, Al Groh said his team had discovered it.

Only 2:18 remained and the Cavaliers were backed up deep in their own territory, trailing 10-3. An offense that had been stagnant almost all evening was faced with the improbability of going 82 yards under immense pressure.