A couple of schools that prefer to run the football, Coach Paul Johnson and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+4) are taking on the No. 24 Virginia Tech Hokies (-4) at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. ESPN will broadcast the action and this conference game is scheduled to get going at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
In this Thursday Atlantic Coast game, Virginia Tech has been labeled as the favorite and is currently giving up 4 points. The Yellow Jackets are also receiving +155 moneyline odds while the Hokies are -175. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 57.5 points. If the favorite gives up a score or two early, it’ll probably produce a worthwhile in-game betting opportunity.
The opening line was initially -5 while the game’s total was placed originally at 58, so sharp bettors have been leaning toward the Yellow Jackets.
The disappointing Yellow Jackets are 2-5 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 4.7 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U mark of 4-2.
The surprising Hokies have gained 4.7 units this season. The team is 3-3 ATS and has an even O/U record of 3-3.
The Yellow Jackets are 3-4 straight up (SU), including 1-3 SU against ACC opponents. The Hokies are 4-2 SU overall and 3-0 SU in conference play.
When these two teams faced one another a year ago, Georgia Tech won by a pair of field goals 28-22.
The Yellow Jackets hope to get back on track after a 28-14 defeat to Duke on October 13 in which the Yellow Jackets completed 7-of-17 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown. TaQuon Marshall went five-for-11 for 91 yards and one touchdown while Tobias Oliver completed two-of-six for 34 yards. Marshall (41 rushing yards on 16 attempts) also led the ground attack and was complemented by Jordan Mason (39 yards on 12 carries). Brad Stewart (two receptions, 46 yards) and Nathan Cottrell (two catches, six yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Virginia Tech is coming off of a 22-19 win over North Carolina. Ryan Willis completed 20-of-36 passes for 221 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Willis (88 rushing yards on 15 attempts, one TD) and Steven Peoples (41 yards on 14 carries) spearheaded the running game as Sean Savoy (six receptions, 58 yards, one TD) and Eric Kumah (five catches, 58 yards) led the Virginia Tech pass-catchers in the win.
Georgia Tech has run the ball on 82.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Virginia Tech has an overall rush percentage of 55.7 percent. The Yellow Jackets have produced 352.4 rush yards/game (including 309.3 per game versus Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 30 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Hokies are logging 183.7 rushing yards per game (115.7 in conference) and have 11 total rush TDs.
The Yellow Jackets offense has averaged 101.0 yards in the air overall (65.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has four passing TDs so far. The Hokies have produced 272.0 pass yards per contest (253 in the ACC) and have 13 total pass scores.
Georgia Tech seems to hold an advantage when it comes to limiting the pass. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 136.6 yards and throw for 230.1 yards per game. The Virginia Tech D has allowed 295.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 123.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Yellow Jackets are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.81 to opposing QBs, while the Hokies have given up a 6.73 ANY/A.
Willis has completed 50-of-88 passes for 748 yards, six TDs and two INTs for Virginia Tech. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 7.90 for the year and 4.60 over his past two outings. In the other locker room, Marshall is up to 633 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 35-of-74 attempts with three passing touchdowns and four interceptions. Marshall has a 5.77 ANY/A for the year, although that number sits at 8.14 over the last two outings.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Pick
SU Winner: Virginia Tech, ATS Winner: Virginia Tech, O/U: Over
