This week’s matchup between the No. 23 Duke Blue Devils (5-1) and the Virginia Tech Hokies (3-4) will give the Blue Devils a chance to extend their three-game winning streak. This game will feature the ACC’s top receiver, Isaiah Ford (497 yards, 7 TDs). This rough season has shown no signs of improvement for Virginia Tech. In recent weeks, it has lost three of its last four. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct 24 and will air on ESPU.
Virginia Tech was defeated by Miami (FL) 30-20 last week. Isaiah Ford had a solid game in the loss, totaling four receptions for 76 yards and one TD. Travon McMillian finished with 99 rushing yards on 16 attempts. Duke is hoping for another victory like its last game, when it routed Army West Point 44-3. Thomas Sirk had a solid outing passing the ball for the Blue Devils, completing 17 of 27 passes for 197 yards and one TD. He added 53 yards on 13 rush attempts. Anthony Nash added 57 receiving yards on five receptions.
Oddsmakers have deemed the Virginia Tech and Duke game as an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment.
The Hokies enter the game with a record of 3-4 Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS) this season. The Hokies have the 17th-best pass defense in the nation and give up 171.1 yards per game through the air.
On the other side, the Blue Devils have 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS records this season. Duke’s second-ranked pass defense has given its competition difficulty. Opponents have only thrown for 131.2 yards per game against this menacing group. The Hokies defense seems to take a wrong turn out of the gate. The Blue Devils can take an early advantage against Virginia Tech and its average of 8.3 first-quarter points allowed. Prepare to see a lot of yellow flags flying around when the Hokies are playing. They are one of the most penalized teams in the nation with 8.3 calls per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Duke
Notes
Virginia Tech is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Virginia Tech’s last 6 games at home.
Virginia Tech is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Duke.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Virginia Tech’s last 5 games when playing Duke.
Virginia Tech is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Duke.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Virginia Tech’s last 5 games when playing at home against Duke.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Duke’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Virginia Tech.
Duke is 5-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Virginia Tech is 3-0 SU when leading after three quarters.
Remarkably, Virginia Tech is winless (0-2) SU in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, yet 3-2 SU when losing the turnover battle.
Since the beginning of last season, Duke is 7-3 SU against ACC opponents, while Virginia Tech is just 4-7 SU against conference foes.
According to overall FBS team rankings, Duke is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its 54th-ranked rushing attack will face the 84th-ranked run defense of Virginia Tech, while its 29th-ranked run defense will look to contain the 67th-ranked rushing game of the Hokies.
