In a matchup that features two programs that are nationally ranked in the Top 25, the No. 24 Hokies of Virginia Tech (+4) are set to host the Virginia Cavaliers (-4) at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. This conference game will get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET and ABC is scheduled to televise the action. These programs faced off last year with the final outcome being a 10-0 victory for Virginia Tech.
Betting Preview: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia Tech is the underdog in this ACC game and is currently getting 4 points. The Cavaliers are also receiving -185 moneyline odds while the Hokies are +165. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points. If Virginia starts trailing early, it will probably produce a nice betting opportunity in-game.
The game’s total has been driven lower after opening at 52. The original line has remained consistent.
The Cavaliers have gained 2.3 units so far and are 8-3 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 5-5.
The Hokies have gained 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-7 ATS and also have 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.
The Wahoos are on the rebound after a thin 30-27 defeat to Georgia Tech last weekTheir defense allowed the Yellow Jackets to run for 268 yards on 52 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. TaQuon Marshall had a productive day for the Yellow Jackets in that one with 107 rushing yards on 15 attempts. On the offense, Bryce Perkins completed 21 passes on 26 attempts for 217 yards and one touchdown. Perkins (73 yards on 16 rush attempts, one TD) also spearheaded the running 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 a 38-14 game to Miami (FL). The defensive unit allowed the Hurricanes to rush for 168 yards on 32 attempts, including two rush TDs. Cam’ron Davis put up a productive outing in the win, posting 77 rushing yards and a score on seven attempts for Miami (FL). For Virginia Tech, 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) handled the running game as Damon Hazelton (five receptions, 58 yards) and Tre Turner (four catches, 80 yards) led the Virginia Tech pass-catchers in the loss.
Virginia has run the ball on 58.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Virginia Tech has an overall rush percentage of 53.7 percent. The Cavaliers have produced 171.2 rush yards per game (including 142.9 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 17 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Hokies are putting up 164.6 rush yards per game (127.3 in conference) and have 14 total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Cavaliers ought to hold an advantage in all aspects of the ground game, since their backfield has produced 4.6 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 4.3 YPC to opponents. The Hokies have recorded 4.2 yards per carry and allowed 5.3 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Wahoos offense has logged 207.6 yards per game in the air overall (205.7 per game against conference opposition) and has 20 passing scores so far. The Hokies have recorded 257.0 pass yards per outing (243 in the ACC) and have 22 total pass TDs.
Virginia appears to have an edge in both defensive facets. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 148.3 yards and throw for 178.4 yards per game. The Virginia Tech D has allowed 228.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 208.2 yards per game to opposing runners. The Wahoos are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.53 to opposing QBs, while the Hokies have allowed a 6.85 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Perkins is up to 2,045 yards on the year, and has completed 66 percent of his 267 attempts with 17 passing scores and eight interceptions. Perkins has a 6.22 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 7.72 over the past two games.
The Cavaliers will likely try to control the pace by pounding the defense with 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 been focal points in the Virginia offensive scheme.
For the home team, Ryan Willis has managed to complete 139-of-240 passes for 1,755 yards, 14 TDs and six INTs. Willis’ ANY/A stands at 6.59 for the year and 4.96 over his last two outings.
The Hokies also prefer to keep their backfield involved. 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 seen a lot of action recently.
Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies NCAA Prediction
SU Winner: Virginia, ATS Winner: Virginia, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- 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 or more yards, while Virginia Tech has given up nine such plays.
- The Virginia offense has created 14 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Virginia Tech has created 17 such runs.
- The Cavaliers defense has allowed 13 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Hokies have given up 22 such runs.
- Each team defense has recorded 22 sacks this season.
- Virginia, as a team, has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.9 over its last two.
- Virginia Tech has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.8 over its past two.
- In its last three matchups, Virginia Tech is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- 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.
- In its last three matches, Virginia is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Virginia Tech’s previous match was set at 52.5. The under cashed in the 38-14 defeat to Miami (FL).
- Virginia Tech has lost six of its last seven games SU, with a three-point victory over North Carolina on October 13th accounting for its only win over that span.
