Virginia at Virginia Tech odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies sports betting odds and lines, with college football betting picks, tips and predictions.

The Virginia Cavaliers (5-4) head to Blacksburg to play the Virginia Tech Hokies (4-6) in the Commonwealth Cup at Lane Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Virginia-Virginia Tech college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Virginia at Virginia Tech: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Virginia +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Virginia Tech -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Virginia +2.5 (-105) | Virginia Tech -2.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under: 63.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Virginia at Virginia Tech: Three things to know

  1. Virginia won its fourth straight game, and covered spread in its fifth game in a row, last week versus Boston College. The Cavaliers racked up 549 total yards and stifled the Golden Eagles rushing attack, holding them to minus-7 rushing yards.
  2. Virginia Tech got routed 45-10 at home by Clemson as a 22-point underdog last Saturday. The Hokies ended the first half down by just a touchdown but the Tigers erupted for 28 unanswered points in the second half.
  3. Last year’s 39-30 Virginia win snapped a 15-game losing skid for the Cavaliers against Virginia Tech. Lane Stadium is usually a tough place for the Cavaliers to play (1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in Blacksburg, Va.), but the home-field advantage will be lessened by the COVID-19 protocols.

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Virginia at Virginia Tech: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Virginia 38, Virginia Tech 30

Money line (ML)

This is a great matchup for Virginia for a couple of reasons. First, Virginia Tech loves to run the ball—sixth in yards per rush and 10th in rush-play percentage—but Virginia’s rush defense is actually pretty good.

The Cavaliers are 29th in opponents’ yards per rush and 32nd in opponents’ rushing yards per game. Virginia’s pass defense is one of the worst in the country but that’s not an area Virginia Tech is equipped to attack.

Second, if the Cavaliers can force Virginia Tech into enough 3rd and longs, then Virginia’s eighth-highest sack rate can be a major factor against Virginia Tech’s 104th-ranked QB sacked rate.

I’ll TAKE VIRGINIA (+120) to win the Commonwealth Cup.

Against the spread (ATS)

Personally, I’d split my bet between the money line and the spread in this game. Especially since the insurance for VIRGINIA +2.5 (-105) is a little cheaper at the moment. Also, the Cavaliers are 7-3 ATS and Virginia Tech is 3-7 ATS.

The most important thing is that Virginia is the right side here.

Over/Under (O/U)

It’s a square angle but I am invoking the if it’s not broke then don’t fix it clause and BETTING OVER 63.5 (-105). The last two Virginia-Virginia Tech meetings went Over the total by double-digits and these teams have a combined 13-6 O/U record this year.

Virginia Tech has allowed 38 or more points in eight of its 10 games this season and Virginia has scored at least 43 points in three of its last four. It’s only a lean because Virginia Tech’s run game can chew up the clock but the offense’s struggles on 3rd down and in the red zone could keep points off the board.

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