Even Groh knows there's no point in keeping his starting quarterback a secret. Why do it?

CHARLOTTESVILLE

Reporters gathered here Tuesday didn't really expect to see a puff of white smoke.

By now, they know Al Groh too well; he likes to play coy.

Who, he was asked, would be Virginia's starting quarterback Saturday when the Cavaliers open against Southern California?

Flashing a wide grin, Groh indicated that he wasn't ready to divulge such a big state secret.

"We're moving forward with it," he said. "I'm sure that sometime before 3:31 Saturday, we'll have it figured out."

That's a cute answer if you think naming a starting quarterback is as loaded with intrigue as, say, picking a vice presidential candidate. It's not as if Groh doesn't know who his starting QB will be - "I've got a pretty good idea," he said - he just won't announce his choice before game time.

Not even Groh thinks hiding the identity of his quarterback will result in USC coach Pete Carroll losing a wink of sleep. If either untested senior Scott Deke or sophomore Marc Verica starts, it would be a surprise - and a big setback for sophomore Peter Lalich, who appeared in eight games last season.

During a conference call, Carroll threatened to ruin Groh's pregame fun by pegging Lalich as U.Va.'s go-to guy, while Groh said his purpose in maintaining a three-man charade was "to create a circumstance of sanity. It's just three players working on their games, just like the other players are."

According to Groh, "it's worked out great," in that no player has "become a team spokesman, wittingly or unwittingly."

Groh has seen to that. On Tuesday, none of the quarterbacks was made available to the media. The artificial intrigue builds.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are listed in some places as 19-1/2-point 'dogs on their home field. The big number reflects USC's No. 3 preseason ranking and U.Va.'s unsettled situation.

Not just talking quarterbacks this time. The Cavaliers return only 10 starters - five on each side of the ball - and 30 lettermen, its fewest since 1986 in both categories.

Then there's U.Va.'s recent pattern of breaking slowly from the gate. In back-to-back opening-game losses the past two years - to Wyoming and Pittsburgh - the Cavaliers looked unprepared.

Getting up for USC and a national audience won't be an issue, but U.Va. has prepped for the game by getting more physical in practice.

"We've had a lot more contact than other training camps," senior safety Byron Glaspy said. Southern California "has so many people who can go the distance if you don't wrap them up."

USC's attack, Groh said, features "intricate and sophisticated schemes" implemented by some of the best athletes in college football.

Asked if he has wondered how it is that he finds himself in the position of facing the West Coast juggernaut, Groh said, "I've had a few of those moments."

In a light mood, Groh smiled when someone suggested that USC agreeing to fly east to play the Cavaliers was an indication that U.Va. football "was doing something right."

"It probably says we're not doing too much right," Groh said.

"But competition," he added, "is not just scheduling to win. I think our team has benefited from the preparation that's needed to get ready for a team like this."

The Cavaliers expect quarterback Mark Sanchez, who's coming off a knee injury, to start for USC; Carroll said as much.

"We just know," Glaspy said, "that whoever is out there for them is going to be a great player."

That's not a luxury enjoyed by U.Va. Making the identity of its starting quarterback known by Saturday afternoon is not the same as having it figured out.

Bob Molinaro, (757) 446-2373, bob.molinaro@pilotonline.com