One of the biggest sleepers in the country entering the season, the Virginia Tech Hokies, take on a lowly program in the Vanderbilt Commodores on August 31.
The Hokies are 13.5-point favorites behind a potent offensive attack, and you can find out why I’m trusting Brent Pry’s squad in my Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt predictions and college football picks.
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt prediction
My best bet
Virginia Tech -13.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
My analysis
There’s one big reason Virginia Tech has become everybody’s favorite sleeper this season: The Hokies lead the country in returning production after winning seven games during Pry’s second season in charge.
It was a quicker turnaround than expected, and with so many playmakers back on both sides of the ball, VT is a dark-horse contender to win the ACC.
Clearly, things aren’t going well for Clark Lea in Nashville. He’s coming off a 2-10 season and has a 9-27 record in three years at the helm, and his Vanderbilt Commodores don’t stand a chance against the Hokies.
Vanderbilt’s defense got carved up last season, allowing the fourth-most yards per game in the country and the second-most among power conference teams (454.9). This is a defense that ranked 109th in EPA per rush but was somehow worse against the pass (123rd in EPA).
Not only is quarterback Kyron Drones back the Hokies, but so are his top two pass catchers, Da’Quan Felton and Jaylin Lane. Both ranked Top 20 nationally last season in yards after catch per reception, per PFF.
And it’s not as if Vandy can key in on the pass because running back Bhayshul Tuten is also back for the Hokies after ranking 10th in the country in missed tackles forced last season.
Defensively, Virginia Tech is loaded, too. Duke transfer Aeneas Peebles joins Antwaun Powell-Ryland on the defensive line, while Mansoor Delane and Dorian Strong are one of the best cornerback tandems in the country.
Even with former New Mexico State star Diego Pavia at QB, Vanderbilt is going to struggle to score enough to cover.
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt same-game parlay (SGP)
Virginia Tech -13.5
Bhayshul Tuten anytime touchdown scorer
Kyron Drones 200+ passing yards
Expect VT to put up a lot of points on this Vanderbilt defense, both on the ground and through the air. Last season, Tuten was Virginia Tech’s leading touchdown scorer with 14 total. After starting the season in more of a rotational role, he was the top back by mid season and ended up scoring seven TDs over the final four games.
The Commodores also happen to be coming off one of the worst defensive seasons in the country, in which they allowed the second-most points per game among power conference teams (36.2). That included 23 rushing TDs and 26 passing TDs.
Drones will surely capitalize on Vanderbilt’s struggles against the pass after closing out last season with 219+ passing yards in three of his final four games.
The Commodores allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game in the country last season (279.6). Between the issues in the secondary and the talent around him, Drones should easily top 200 yards.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt odds
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt live odds
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt opening odds
- Spread: Virginia Tech -13.5 (-105) | Vanderbilt +13.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Virginia Tech -550 | Vanderbilt +400
- Over/Under: Over 53.5 (-110) | Under 53.5 (-110)
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt spread and Over/Under analysis
- Virginia Tech opened between a 12.5 and 13.5-point favorite, with most books settling in at -13.5 as kickoff approaches.
- The Hokies were 8-5 ATS last season, while the Commodores were the worst team in the country ATS at 2-10.
- The Over/Under opened as high as 55.5 but has since come down to between 47.5 and 48.5.
- Both programs were among the best Over teams in the country last season, with Virginia Tech going 9-4 and Vanderbilt going 9-3.
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt betting trend to know
Virginia Tech covered the spread in seven of its last nine games in 2023 (+4.80 Units / 48% ROI). Find more college football betting trends for Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt.
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt game info
| Location: | FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, TN |
| Date: | Saturday, 8-31, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Weather: | Mainly sunny in the morning, then scattered showers in the afternoon. |
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt latest injuries
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