A couple of schools that like to run the football, Panthers (-3) are gearing up to welcome their ACC rival No. 24 Virginia Tech Hokies to Pittsburgh. Fans can catch the action live on ESPNU and kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Preview
The Hokies approach this Saturday ACC matchup as the dog here and are currently getting 3 points. The Hokies are also receiving +120 moneyline odds while the Panthers are -140. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 52 points. It looks like there should be some good live betting scenarios for this match.
Odds have shifted from where they were first posted. The line opened at -4, while the game’s total has yet to move after being set initially at 52.
Each of these teams has been profitable this year as the Hokies have gained 2.1 units and the Panthers are ahead 2.8 units.
The Hokies are 4-4 straight up (SU), including 3-2 SU against conference opponents. The Panthers are 5-4 SU overall and 4-1 SU in conference play.
Pittsburgh enters this matchup on a two-game losing streak while Virginia Tech has won its last two in a row. The Hokies are most-recently reeling from a 31-21 defeat to Boston College last weekTheir defense allowed the Eagles to eat up the clock by rushing for 219 yards on 49 attempts, including three rush TDs. Travis Levy logged a good day for the Eagles in that one with 75 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 11 attempts. Offensively, Ryan Willis completed 25-of-42 passes for 281 yards, three scores and one interception. Steven Peoples (39 rushing yards on 12 attempts) spearheaded the ground attack. Hezekiah Grimsley (six receptions, 53 yards) and Eric Kumah (six catches, 35 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Pittsburgh enters this one after just earning a 23-13 win over Virginia. The team’s defense did its job in the victory, keeping the Cavaliers to just 205 passing yards and 44 rushing yards. Terrell Jana was a bright spot in the loss, posting 71 yards on three catches for Virginia. For Pittsburgh, Kenny Pickett completed seven-of-14 passes for 61 yards. Darrin Hall (229 yards on 19 rush attempts, three TDs) and the signal-caller Pickett (four yards on 10 carries) mounted the running attack while Hall (one receptions, 4 yards) and Aaron Mathews (one catch, 31 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Virginia Tech has run the ball on 54.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Pittsburgh has an overall rush percentage of 63.6 percent. The Hokies have produced 167 rush yards per game (including 116 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Panthers are averaging 231 rushing yards per game (274 in conference) and have 20 total rush TDs.
The Hokies offensive scheme has logged 264 yards/contest in the air overall (248 per game against conference opposition) and has 18 passing TDs so far. The Panthers have produced 137 pass yards per outing (143.8 against ACC foes) and have eight total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Virginia Tech has allowed 178 rush yards and 244 pass yards per game. The Pittsburgh defense has allowed 245.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 169.8 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Hokies have given up an ANY/A of 6.70 to opposing QBs, while the Panthers are yielding an ANY/A of 7.02.
Passing-wise, Willis has put up 1,338 yards this year, and has completed 58 percent of his 182 attempts with 11 passing scores and four interceptions. Willis has a 6.96 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.12 over the last two outings.
We expect the Virginia Tech offense to mix it up in this one. Steven Peoples (446 rushing yards, five rush TDs, 142 receiving yards on the year), Damon Hazelton (555 receiving yards, six receiving TDs) and Dalton Keene (171 receiving yards, two TDs) have each played big roles of late.
Kenny Pickett has completed 113-of-184 passes for 1,067 yards, six TDs and five INTs for Pittsburgh. His ANY/A sits at a less-than-stellar 4.07 for the season and 6.24 over his past two games.
We expect the Panthers to control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. Maurice Ffrench (219 receiving yards, two TDs this season) has chipped in lately, but Darrin Hall (605 rush yards, seven rush TDs) and Qadree Ollison (670 rush yards, six rush TDs) have delivered significant production to the Panthers’ recent offensive gameplans.
When these two schools faced one another a year ago, Virginia Tech won by a pair of field goals 20-14.
NCAA Tip: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
SU Winner – Pittsburgh, ATS Winner – Pittsburgh, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Over/Under for Virginia Tech’s last game was 57. The under cashed in the team’s 31-21 defeat to Boston College.
Virginia Tech has produced 3.8 yards per carry over its past three games and 3.8 over its last two.
Pittsburgh has averaged 6.9 yards per carry over its last three outings and 7.9 over its last two.
Pittsburgh has lost six fumbles this season while Virginia Tech has lost four.
In its last three contests, Virginia Tech is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Virginia Tech has lost four of its last five games SU, with a three-point victory over North Carolina on October 13th representing the only win over that stretch.
The Over/Under for Pittsburgh’s last match was 45. The under cashed in the 23-13 win over Virginia.
Over its last three games, Pittsburgh is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Hokies offense has created five pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Panthers have put up six such plays.
The Virginia Tech defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40+ yards, while Pittsburgh has given up 10 such plays.
The Virginia Tech offense has created 12 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Pittsburgh has created 20 such runs.
The Hokies defense has allowed 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Panthers have given up 21 such runs.
The Pittsburgh D has recorded 21 sacks on the year while Virginia Tech has 19.
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