The Monarchs of Old Dominion (-27) are set to welcome the No. 13 Virginia Tech Hokies to Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. This daytime game gets underway at 3:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action live on CBS Sports Network. These two schools faced off a year ago with the final result being a 38-0 win for Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Old Dominion Monarchs Betting Preview
Virginia Tech is the heavy road favorite and is currently giving up 27 points to Old Dominion. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 52 points. If one program can catch a lucky break early, it’ll likely produce a worthy betting opportunity in-game.
Odds have moved from when they were originally posted. The opening line was 28 and the game’s over/under hasn’t moved after being initially established at 52.
The profitable Hokies are 2-0 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.5 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U record of 1-1. The disappointing Monarchs have lost 4.4 units this season. The team is 0-3 ATS and has an O/U record of 2-1.
The Hokies are 2-0 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Monarchs are 0-3 SU.
The Hokies are hoping to remain unbeaten following a 62-17 victory over William & Mary on September 8. The passing attack was sharp as the Hokies completed 16-of-23 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown. Josh Jackson went 12-for-16 for 217 yards and one touchdown while Ryan Willis completed four-of-seven for 64 yards. Deshawn McClease (35 rushing yards on 10 attempts, one TD) and Jalen Holston (47 yards on 10 carries) led the ground attack while Damon Hazelton (four receptions, 107 yards, one TD) and Hezekiah Grimsley (three catches, 68 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Old Dominion narrowly lost a 28-25 game to Charlotte. The defense let the 49ers kill the clock by rushing for 171 yards on 46 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Benny LeMay had a solid outing, recording 93 rushing yards on 25 attempts for Charlotte. For Old Dominion, Steven Williams completed 16-of-28 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Lala Davis (63 yards on 10 rush attempts, two TDs) spearheaded the running game as Jonathan Duhart (seven receptions, 127 yards, one TD) and Isaiah Harper (two catches, 21 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Virginia Tech’s run the ball on 63.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Old Dominion has a rush percentage of 48.7 percent. The Hokies have rushed for 209 yards/game and have seven scores on the ground this year. The Monarchs are averaging 115 rush yards per game and have four total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Hokies ought to have the edge when it comes to efficiency in the ground game, as their backfield has produced 4.8 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 2.2 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Monarchs have registered 3.7 yards per carry and given up 4.4 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Hokies offense has logged 244 yards/contest through the air overall and has three passing scores so far. The Monarchs have put up 230 pass yards per game and also have three total pass TDs.
Defensively, Virginia Tech appears to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has let opponents run for an average of 64 yards and pass for 233 yards per game. The Old Dominion D has given up 285.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 199.3 yards per game on the ground. The Hokies are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.42 to opposing QBs, while the Monarchs have allowed a whopping 9.27 ANY/A.
Offensively, Jackson has amassed 217 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 12-of-16 attempts with one scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. He’s got a pristine 14.81 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 10.31 over the last two outings.
For the home team, Steven Williams has connected on 30-of-58 passes for 347 yards, one TD and two INTs. Williams’ ANY/A sits at an ultra-pedestrian 4.68 for the season and 6.15 across his past two outings.
Free Prediction: Virginia Tech Hokies at Old Dominion Monarchs
SU Winner – Old Dominion, ATS Winner – Old Dominion, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
Virginia Tech was favored by 42 points in its last game and the Over/Under going into it was 49.5. The over cashed and Virginia Tech covered in the 62-17 triumph over William & Mary.
The Old Dominion offense has lost two fumbles this season while Virginia Tech has lost one.
Old Dominion was getting 2 points in its last outing and the O/U going into it was 47.5. The over cashed and Old Dominion failed to cover in the team’s 28-25 defeat to Charlotte.
Over its last three games, Old Dominion is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Hokies offense has registered one pass play of 40 or more yards, while the Monarchs have put up two such plays.
The Virginia Tech defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Old Dominion has given up four such plays.
Both defenses have produced three rushing plays of 20 yards or more. The Virginia Tech offense has recorded 15 running plays of 10+ yards while Old Dominion has accounted for 10 such plays.
The Hokies defense has allowed one rushing play of 20 or more yards, while the Monarchs have given up three such runs.
The Virginia Tech D has twice as many sacks as Old Dominion this year (six to three).
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