Back when Al Groh was coaching in the NFL and made his annual trek to college campuses to scout out potential draftable talent from the various schools, one thing always stuck in his mind about his trip to Florida's state capital.

"When we went to Florida State to evaluate their team, it was always a two-day visit because we couldn't get it done in just one day like most everywhere else," said Groh this week as he prepared his Cavaliers to take on the nation's fifth-ranked Seminoles.

Therein lies the distinct difference in the two programs that will square off on ABC this afternoon under the blazing Florida sun. While pro scouts might froth over the talent at FSU, they will have to wait for it to Groh up, pun intended, at UVa.

Coach Bobby Bowden said this week that Virginia scared him to death because of its plethora of running backs, two differently styled quarterbacks and the Groh/Bill Musgrave version of the West Coast offense that is somewhat predicated on confusing defenses by throwing a plethora of schemes their way. But Bowden is just like his coaching hero, the late Bear Bryant, when it comes to building up an opponent. Shall we way, there's a hint of exaggeration in his voice.

"We gave up one cheap touchdown last week because we weren't lined up right," complained Bowden of FSU's narrow escape from its game with Iowa State. The tight contest cost the Noles two spots in the AP poll.

But even more, it fueled the idea that there still might be some chinks in Florida State's armor after last season's 8-4 ledger, including two losses within the ACC for the first time.

"Last year teams saw a little blood in the water from them and attacked like sharks," said one of UVa's four tailbacks, Marquis Weeks. "After that game they played the other night, I think [blood] is still there a little bit. Everybody's going to try to get 'em."

Easier said than done.

Virginia will be facing all sorts of pressure at Doak Campbell Stadium and we're not talking about the pregame intimidation tactics, the thousands of tomahawk chops aimed in the Cavaliers' direction or any of that stuff.

What matters is on the gridiron. Florida State features the No. 1 offensive line in the nation according to the Sporting News, although that line has already gone through some turmoil due to an injury and one player ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA. Still, it is a quality line with plenty of experience.

While Virginia's offense may have given FSU's coaches some concern, the Cavaliers' defense hasn't kept the Bowdens up at night.

Behind the big o-line is two solid backs, Greg Jones and Nick Maddox, who rode roughshod over the Wahoos last year. Add a year of experience to mobile quarterback Chris Rix and a bunch of scary-good receivers and there's lot for UVa defensive coordinator Al Golden to worry about.

Virginia is the only ACC school that has never surrendered 50 points to Florida State. That could end today.

Meanwhile, the Cavs are trying to figure out a few things for themselves offensively. Who is the quarterback that the team can win with, veteran Matt Schaub or elusive rookie Marques Hagans? Can the passing game finally come alive and will the other wide receivers step up and give All-American candidate Billy McMullen some help?

Finally, which of the four tailbacks are going to become difference-makers, or will all four be able to contribute on a weekly basis?

If Virginia has any chance of winning today's game (the Cavs are 26-point underdogs), then it is going to have to produce a lot of points.

"We will have to put a lot of points up on the board," said another tailback, Alvin Pearman. "That's really the only way to beat Florida State is to score a lot because they have such an explosive offense, they score a lot."

Easier said than done.

The more pertinent question may be: Does it matter?

The fifth-ranked Seminoles are playing at home, where they have lost just 18 times in Bobby Bowden's 26 years as coach. They have clobbered the Cavaliers by at least 25 points in each of their past five meetings. They are favored by 26 points and have a decisive advantage in talent at nearly every position.

Under those circumstances, what's a poor Cavalier quarterback - or quarterbacks - to do? And what's the plan for the QBs, anyway?

"That's for me to know," UVa coach Al Groh said, "and you to find out."

Groh found out a lot about his team in its opening 35-29 loss to Colorado State last Thursday. Some of it was bad; the secondary struggled and the Cavaliers committed five turnovers. Some was good; the freshmen, in particular, had encouraging debuts.

"It was like a preseason game for us," defensive lineman Justin Walker said. "It got us as ready for Florida State as we can be."

Unintentionally, Groh also helped engender a new quarterback controversy, at least among UVa's fans. By using redshirt freshman Marques Hagans, who outperformed starter Matt Schaub, the coach created speculation that Schaub's job is less than secure. Many fans turned against Schaub and supported Hagans as the game progressed.

On the bright side, Groh may have given Bowden a minor headache in preparing for today's game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Schaub, a big dropback passer, and Hagans, a mobile playmaker, offer a stark contrast in styles that can cross up a defense.

"We hate to play against two quarterbacks, especially if they're different," said Bowden, who moved past Paul "Bear" Bryant into second place on the Division I-A victory list with his 324th last week. "You have to prepare for this guy and you have to prepare for that guy. You make different defensive calls depending on who's in the game. We simply have to prepare for both of them."

The Seminoles already have shown they are vulnerable to good quarterback play. Led by multitalented senior Seneca Wallace, Iowa State generated 443 yards and four touchdowns in a closer-than-expected 38-31 loss last week.

Too bad the Cavaliers don't have Wallace.

"I think [FSU's] vulnerability had more to do with Seneca Wallace than with any problem with the Florida State defensive scheme," Groh said.

It won't much matter how the quarterbacks play if Virginia's defense can't slow down the Seminoles, who have piled up 360 points in the teams' 10 meetings. (You do the math.)

The Cavaliers will have their hands full against an explosive FSU attack that produced 533 yards in last year's 43-7 rout at Scott Stadium.

"It will be a significant test," Groh said. "It will be a good experience for our young players to see what you have to aspire to to be the best."