The No. 24 Virginia Tech Hokies are getting four points as they prepare to welcome the No. 23 Virginia Cavaliers to Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. Kickoff for this conference matchup is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and you can watch the action on ABC.
Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Preview
In this Friday Atlantic Coast game, Virginia is getting picked as the favorite and is currently giving up 4 points. The Cavaliers are also receiving -185 moneyline odds while the Hokies are +165. If one program can create a bunch of points early it would generate a nice live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points.
The game’s O/U has shifted down after initially being set at 52. The opening line has remained consistent.
The Cavaliers have recorded 2.3 units so far and are 8-3 against the spread (ATS). The team’s recorded an O/U mark of 5-5. The Hokies have gained 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-7 ATS and also own an even O/U record of 5-5.
The Cavaliers have gone 7-4 straight up (SU), including 4-3 SU against conference opponents. The Hokies are 4-6 SU overall and 3-4 SU in conference play.
When these two teams met a year ago, Virginia Tech emerged victorious by a score of 10-0.
The Cavaliers lost to Georgia Tech 30-27 in a nailbiter where the passing game was on point, as Bryce Perkins completed 21-of-26 passes for 217 yards and one touchdown. Perkins (73 yards on 16 rush attempts, one TD) also led the ground attack and was complemented by Jordan Ellis (33 yards on 12 carries). Olamide Zaccheaus (10 receptions, 96 yards) and Hasise Dubois (five catches, 46 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Virginia Tech just dropped an ugly 38-14 game to Miami (FL). Ryan Willis completed 18-of-36 passes for 216 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Willis (13 yards on 11 rush attempts) and Steven Peoples (40 yards on 10 carries) mounted the running game as Damon Hazelton (five receptions, 58 yards) and Tre Turner (four catches, 80 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Virginia has run the ball on 58.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Virginia Tech has a rush percentage of 53.7 percent. The Cavaliers have rushed for 171 yards per game (including 143 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 17 scores on the ground this year. The Hokies are averaging 165 rush yards per game (127 in conference) and have 14 total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Cavaliers may hold an advantage in all aspects of the ground game, as their running backs has logged 4.6 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 4.3 to opponents. The Hokies have registered 4.2 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 5.3 to opponents.
The Wahoos offensive scheme has averaged 208 yards in the air overall (206 per game against conference opposition) and has 20 passing scores so far. The Hokies have recorded 257 pass yards per game (242.6 in the ACC) and have 22 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Virginia seems to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 148 rush yards and 178 pass yards per game. The Virginia Tech D has allowed 228.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 208.2 yards per game on the ground. The Wahoos are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.53 to opponents, while the Hokies have given up a 6.85 ANY/A.
Offensively, Perkins has amassed 2,045 passing yards on the year, and has completed 175-of-267 attempts with 17 scores through the air and eight interceptions. He has a 6.22 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 7.72 over the last two outings.
The Cavaliers will likely try to control tempo by getting the ball into the hands of their running backs. Olamide Zaccheaus (67 rush yards, 817 receiving yards, six receiving TDs) and Jordan Ellis (762 rush yards, seven rush TDs, 21 receiving yards) have brought significant production to the offensive gameplans for Virginia.
Ryan Willis has connected on 139-of-240 passes for 1,755 yards, 14 TDs and six INTs for Virginia Tech. His ANY/A sits at 6.59 for the year and 4.96 over his past two games.
The Hokies should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Tre Turner (289 receiving yards, two receiving TDs), Damon Hazelton (four rush yards, 694 receiving yards, seven receiving TDs) and Steven Peoples (537 rush yards, five rush TDs) have gotten plenty of touches recently.
NCAA Prediction: Virginia Cavaliers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies
SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Virginia, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes
The O/U for Virginia’s last game going into it was 51.5. The over cashed in the team’s 30-27 loss to Georgia Tech.
As a team, Virginia has produced 4.0 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.9 over its last two.
Virginia Tech has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.8 over its past two.
Virginia Tech has lost five fumbles this season while Virginia has lost six.
In its last three contests, Virginia is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Virginia Tech’s last game was set at 52.5. The under cashed in the team’s 38-14 loss to Miami (FL).
In its last three contests, Virginia Tech is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Virginia Tech has lost six of its last seven games SU, with a three-point triumph over North Carolina on October 13th accounting for the one win over that stretch.
The Cavaliers have made 11 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Hokies have accounted for 12 such plays.
The Virginia defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Virginia Tech has given up nine such plays.
The Virginia offense has created 14 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Virginia Tech has created 17 such runs.
The Cavaliers defense has allowed 13 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Hokies have given up 22 such runs.
Each team defense has recorded 22 sacks this year.
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