The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-0) and No. 21 Virginia Tech Hokies (1-0) face off at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Middle Tennessee at Virginia Tech odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll, powered by USA TODAY Sports.
This is a “trap” game for Virginia Tech sandwiched between a massive 17-10 win against then-No. 9 UNC in Week 1 and a road matchup against rival West Virginia next week. The Hokies had a vintage defensive performance in their opener as they limited preseason Heisman candidate QB Sam Howell to 208 yards with 3 INT and sacked him 6 times.
Middle Tennessee handled FCS opponent Monmouth with ease last week, however, the game was closer than the 50-15 final score suggests. The Blue Raiders only outgained Monmouth 344-274 in total yards and averaged just 2.6 yards on 34 carries.
Starting QB Bailey Hockman faced Virginia Tech last season as NC State’s quarterback and threw for just 82 yards with 2 INT over 16 attempts.
Middle Tennessee at Virginia Tech odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:47 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Middle Tennessee +750 (bet $100 to win $750) | Virginia Tech -1400 (bet $1400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Middle Tennessee +20.5 (-108) | Virginia Tech -20.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Middle Tennessee at Virginia Tech odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Virginia Tech 35, Middle Tennessee 17
Money line
It’s tough to recommend the money line in games with big point spreads like this. It’s extremely unlikely the Blue Raiders pull off the upset here, while a $100 bet on the Hokies would return just $7.14. PASS.
Against the spread
Virginia Tech is bigger, faster and more experienced than the Blue Raiders, but they haven’t won a non-conference game by 20+ points in any of their last four tries (Liberty in 2020; Rhode Island, Furman, Old Dominion in 2019).
The Hokies’ inability to blow out lower-division teams combined with the trap game factor has us leaning MIDDLE TENNESSEE +20.5 (-108) to cover.
Over/Under
Virginia Tech looked much better defensively in defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton’s second season, while the Blue Raiders’ inexperienced offensive line – they’re starting three freshmen – suggests points will be hard to come by for Middle Tennessee.
Look for the Hokies to take their foot off the gas in the second half, keeping this one slightly UNDER 54.5 (-108).
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