Associated Press

Virginia, under coach Al Groh, has lost three games in a row heading into today's contest against Boston College.

From the outside, it appears that motivation could be lacking for a Virginia football team in the throes of its second three-game losing streak of the season.

Certainly, the players have to be aware of the speculation concerning ninth-year head coach Al Groh.

If so, they're not hearing about it from Groh.

"He's Coach Groh doing what he does," said Rashawn Jackson, the Cavaliers' leading rusher. "He's focused on winning. He's not worried about anything in the future."

Jackson's comments followed a miserable Wednesday night practice in the rain. The Cavaliers, who entertain Boston College at 3:30 p.m. today, practiced outside because that's what they do. And, UVa doesn't have a suitable indoor practice facility.

"We're at work," wide receiver Jared Green said. "We can't dwell on things outside of work."

Much has been made of the dwindling crowds at Scott Stadium, but threatening weather may have contributed to that. The forecast is much more promising today, with a high of 67 degrees and mostly cloudy skies.

More promising than Groh's future.

"I think we're all aware that wins and losses don't just affect us emotionally and personally," said Aaron Clark, a fifth-year linebacker from Rockbridge County who serves as one of the Cavaliers' co-captains.

"There's a bigger picture out there. It's not just in our apartment. There's an organization here that is looking for wins as well. We all understand that what we do on the field is going to affect lives other than our own.

"So, we've really got to focus and do better."

After an 0-3 start, the Cavaliers won three games in a row and appeared to be on the verge of a second straight undefeated October. That was before back-to-back home losses to Georgia Tech (34-9) and Duke (28-17).

Virginia had a 17-12 lead on the Blue Devils with under four minutes remaining, but gave up a 42-yard touchdown pass on third-and-9. The Cavaliers' malaise continued last Saturday at Miami, where they were outscored 28-0 in the second half and lost 52-17.

Boston College (6-3, 3-2 ACC) was picked last in the ACC's Atlantic Division but remains a championship-game contender. The Eagles are one-half game behind division front-runner Clemson but have not won a road game all season.

Virginia, on the other hand, has lost four home games at a venue where it was once nearly unbeatable.

Moreover, the Cavaliers (3-6, 2-3) entered the week with each of their top two quarterbacks, Jameel Sewell and Marc Verica, listed as questionable on an injury report released Thursday night. Questionable, by ACC standards, means 50-50.

UVa entered the season as one of three programs in Division I-A with two quarterbacks who had each passed for 2,000 yards in a season. Boston College's starter was a 25-year-old freshman, David Shinskie, who was playing professional baseball when the summer started.

Now, the Eagles may have an advantage at quarterback. In a matchup with 2008 All-ACC quarterback Russell Wilson, Shinskie passed for 293 yards in a 52-20 victory over N.C. State.

"I think everybody's intrigued by the story of the 25-year-old former pitcher," Groh said. "This is like a redshirt senior getting his first chance to start. We could only wish for such a fortuitous knock on our door one day."

When he isn't throwing to Rich Gunnel, who is on pace to break the BC career receptions record, Shinskie will be handing off to sophomore running back Montel Harris, who would go over 1,000 yards for the season with 70 today.

Groh didn't talk about Harris early in the week, "but only because I wasn't asked," he said. "He's a terrific player, very dangerous."

Harris' elusiveness stands out.

"He's very slithery," Groh said. "While he's moving, he has a chance to wait [for a hole to open] and when he kicks it down a gear, he just shoots through the hole. I wouldn't say that we've had anybody who's as limber and loose."