The Wake Forest Demon Deacons might be in position to make a push in the ACC, while certain other teams struggle, but to keep that hope alive, they will need to get by the Virginia Cavaliers in a tough college football betting spot.
Wake Forest’s offense has yet to be slowed down in the slightest this season, averaging 39.3 points per game, but it will now have to outscore a Virginia offense humming even more efficiently this year, piling up 41.3 points per game.
Between the two of them, Friday night should be entertaining.
Here are our free college football picks and predictions for Wake Forest vs. Virginia on Friday, September 24, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Wake Forest vs Virginia odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Virginia hung with North Carolina well enough last week to open as a 4.5-point favorite against Wake Forest, but that ticked down to 3.5 points across the board by midweek, with some books needing perhaps until Thursday to make that move. The total, meanwhile, began the week at 67 and nudged upward to 68.5, understandable given the offenses taking the field Friday. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
Wake Forest vs Virginia picks
Picks made on 9/24/2021 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Wake Forest vs Virginia game info
• Location: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA
• Date: Friday, September 24, 2021
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN 2
Wake Forest vs Virginia betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Wake Forest: Donovan Greene WR (Out), Chase Monroe LB (Out), Je’Vionte’ Nash OL (Out)
Virginia: Wayne Taulapapa RB (Questionable), Josh Hayes CB (Out), Chico Bennett LB (Out), Nathaniel Beal WR (Out), Lavel Davis WR (Out).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Demon Deacons are 5-1 ATS in their last six conference games and 6-0 ATS in the last six matchups with the Cavaliers. Find more NCAA betting trends for Wake Forest vs. Virginia.
Wake Forest vs Virginia predictions
Wake Forest +3.5 (-115)
Obviously, the early-week number of +4.5 is preferable, but the simple fact that this ticked straight through 4 backs up the thought of the Demon Deacons being a viable ACC contender. They may not be on the level of beating Clemson yet — though that also looks increasingly conceivable — but anyone else in the conference should be doubted as a favorite against Wake Forest.
Some doubt the Demon Deacons' legitimacy because their wins, and offensive explosions, have come against the unconvincing lineup of Norfolk State, Old Dominion, and Florida State. That criticism can only be overcome in time, particularly with a win Friday night. But until then, it is worth pointing out that while the Seminoles turned over the ball six times, none of them handed Wake Forest a delightful scoring chance. Of the Demon Deacons’ four touchdowns last weekend, all covered at least 63 yards.
Their offense averages 416.3 yards per game, outgaining opponents by an average of more than 100 yards each week. Virginia may be better than expected this season, but how much better should be questioned — just as much as Wake Forest.
The Cavaliers' wins came against William & Mary and Illinois: Inflating offensive stats against those squads might be even more dubious than against Florida State.
Wake Forest first-half team total Over 14.5 (-125)
The Deacons are averaging 26.3 points per first half this season. No matter the opponent’s level, coming out that aggressively and efficiently should carry over to Virginia.
Instincts suggest the game should blow past its total of 68.5, too, but if Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson or Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall intend to junk up the game flow, that will likely come in the second half, following a short week.
ACC darkhorse status is up for grabs and the Demon Deacons, led by quarterback Sam Hartman (230.2 passing yards per game with a completion rate of 68.7 percent, seven total touchdowns this season), should jump at the chance to make that statement early on Friday.
If their defense makes life easier — fresh off forcing six turnovers in Tallahassee — all the better.
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