In a conference game that will feature two first-year head coaches, there is an element of the unfamiliarity for both Florida State and Virginia, as the programs haven’t played against each other since 2006.

Much has obviously changed since then, starting at the top.

Virginia coach Mike London has transformed the Cavaliers (2-1) to a 4-3 defense and has been running a balanced offense, but even he is still trying to figure out what his program is capable of. Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher isn’t new to the ACC, but he has a new defensive coordinator and scheme that has helped the Seminoles (3-1) show significant defensive improvement through four games. The one thing they have in common is they both have lost on the road to ranked nonconference opponents.

“You don’t know their players,” Fisher said. “You don’t know their physical ability. You can see them on film, but until you see a guy in person – his actual size and how he plays and the things he does – a team that you play year in and year out it definitely helps you in your preparation. … That’s a totally new scheme from what they’ve been doing.”

And it’s been working.

Virginia enters its first ACC game on Saturday with one of the best defenses in the country. The Cavs are ranked No. 7 in scoring defense and No. 19 in total defense. Virginia’s offense is averaging almost the same amount of total yards Florida State’s offense is (434.5).

But Virginia has yet to beat an FBS opponent.

Virginia’s best performance has been a moral victory in a 17-14 loss at USC. The Cavaliers appear to be a step ahead of schedule, but still need to prove it in the ACC standings.

“Obviously you want to win the games that, quote unquote, you're supposed to win,” London said. “You want to be competitive in the games that people don't give you a shot in. And I think so far we've been able to do that.

“… This is a very, very good team that's coming in here,” he said. “We'll see how far away we are, how close we are, how do we answer it, through recruiting, through depth, whatever it is, we'll see. But it's what you play the games for, and I know our guys are excited about it.”