In a battle featuring two schools that prefer to run the football, Coach Justin Fuente and the Virginia Tech Hokies (-5.5) are taking the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field. CHSS is scheduled to televise the action and this ACC game gets underway at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Virginia Tech Hokies at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech is entering this ACC game as the underdog and is currently being given 5.5 points. The Hokies are also receiving -235 moneyline odds while the Yellow Jackets are +185. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 52 points, and if one team catches a lucky break in the early stages, it would likely create a worthwhile betting opportunity in-game.
Both of these teams have been profitable this season as the Hokies have gained 3.6 units while the Yellow Jackets are up 4.3 units.
The Hokies are 6-3 straight up (SU), including 3-2 SU against ACC opponents. The Yellow Jackets are 2-7 SU overall and 1-5 SU in conference play.
These two teams met last year with the final outcome being a 49-28 victory for Georgia Tech.
The Hokies are coming off a resounding 36-17 win over Wake Forest last week. Hendon Hooker completed 15-of-23 passes for 242 yards. Deshawn McClease (59 rushing yards on 17 attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Hooker (69 yards on 15 carries, one TD) led the ground attack. Damon Hazelton (seven receptions, 86 yards) and James Mitchell (three catches, 58 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
One week ago, Virginia knocked off this Georgia Tech team by a score of 33-28. The Yellow Jackets defense allowed the Cavaliers to eat up the clock by rushing for 155 yards on 37 attempts, including three rush TDs. Terrell Jana put up a productive outing for Virginia, recording 108 yards on nine catches. For Georgia Tech, James Graham completed 15-of-22 passes for 229 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Jordan Mason (94 yards on 19 rush attempts, one TD) led the running game as Adonicas Sanders (five receptions, 21 yards) and Tobias Oliver (four catches, 57 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
When looking at offensive play-calling, each team sports a strikingly similar (63-37) run-pass ratio on the season. Having said that, the Hokies have rushed for 172.2 yards/game (including 174.4 per game versus Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 14 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Yellow Jackets haven’t been quite as successful. They’re totaling 156.8 rushing yards per game (152.7 in conference) and have 11 total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then it seems like the Hokies could hold an edge when it comes to quarterback protection, as their offensive line has given up just 28 sacks while the D-line logged 24 sacks. The Yellow Jackets, on the other hand, have allowed 16 sacks and their defense has forced only 17 sacks.
The Hokies offensive scheme has averaged 213.4 yards in the air overall (225.2 per game against conference opposition) and has 18 passing scores so far. The Yellow Jackets have put up 150.8 pass yards per contest (165 in the ACC) and have 10 total pass TDs.
Virginia Tech has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 131.8 yards and pass for 258.9 yards per game. The Georgia Tech D has given up 195.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 210.8 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Hokies have given up an ANY/A of 5.57 to opposing QBs, while the Yellow Jackets are yielding an ANY/A of 5.99.
Hooker has been more productive than Graham of late, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 10.30for the season (and 9.24 over the last two games). Graham’s ANY/A is 5.32 for the year and 6.97 across his last two games.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Free Pick
SU Winner: Virginia Tech, ATS Winner: Virginia Tech, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Virginia Tech defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 29 times this season. Georgia Tech has produced just 15 sacks.
- The Georgia Tech offense has lost seven fumbles in 2019 while Virginia Tech has lost 11.
- The Yellow Jackets have made 14 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Hokies have accounted for 12 such plays.
- The Virginia Tech defense has allowed eight pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Georgia Tech has given up six such plays.
- The Virginia Tech offense has created 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Georgia Tech has created 11 such runs.
- The Hokies defense has allowed 14 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Yellow Jackets have given up 12 such runs.
- The Over/Under for Georgia Tech’s previous outing was 46.5. The over cashed in the team’s 33-28 defeat to Virginia.
- In its last three contests, Georgia Tech is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- In its last three matchups, Virginia Tech is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Virginia Tech has won five of its last six games SU, with a one-point loss to Notre Dame on November 2nd accounting for the only slip-up over that stretch.
- Georgia Tech has lost seven of its last eight games SU, with a seven-point win over Miami (FL) on October 19th representing the only victory over that stretch.
- The Over/Under for Virginia Tech’s last game was set at 60.5. The under cashed in the team’s 36-17 victory over Wake Forest.
- Virginia Tech has produced 4.0 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.9 over its last two.
- Georgia Tech has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.8 over its past two.
