Russell Athletic Bowl betting pick

In an old East Coast match-up 6-6 Virginia Tech, which had to win its last two games just to become bowl-eligible, meets 9-3 Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl Friday, Dec. 28 in Orlando (5:30 pm ET, ESPN).

The early Russell Athletic Bowl odds listed the Hokies, who just managed to extend their bowl streak to 20 seasons, as 2.5-point favorites over the Scarlet Knights, who were 9-1 but lost their last two games to miss out on the Big East championship.

ACC schools are 8-1 SU in the past 9 games, formerly the Champs Sports Bowls. Six of the past seven games played UNDER the total. [ More Russell Athletic Bowl betting preview stats and trends]



View Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Odds and Stats.

Betting Line: Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Hokies pegged as 1.5-point favorites in this matchup. The total, meanwhile, was a low 41.5 earlier, check for updates at Sportsbook.





Rutgers Bowl History

Virginia Tech Bowl History

How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Virginia Tech's No. 80-ranked offense (26.1 PPG) against a Scarlet Knights defense that ranks No. 4 at 14.2 PPG. The Hokies passing attack has averaged 234.1 yards per game, more than the Scarlet Knights give up through the air (216.2 YPG on average).

In comparing defenses, the Scarlet Knights own the league's No. 4-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 87.2 yards per game when on the road. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, rates No. 60 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

Rutgers lost its last outing, a 20-17 result against Louisville on November 29. Rutgers failed to cover in that game as a 3.5-point favorite, while the 37 combined points took the game UNDER the total. Mark Harrison was good for 131 receiving yards in the Scarlet Knights's most recent action, but while it helped his stats, it didn’t help his team to victory and they fell 20-17 to the Scarlet Knights.

Last time out for Virginia Tech, they were a 17-14 Sportsbook as they battled Virginia at home. Virginia Tech failed to cover in the match as a 10-point favorite, while 31 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. The Hokies grabbed a Week 13 victory over the Cavaliers in their last game, winning 17-14 at Lane Stadium.


Rutgers Scarlet Knights Trends:
When playing in December are 5-4
When playing on grass are 5-5
After being outgained are 5-5
When an underdog on the road are 4-6

Virginia Tech Hokies Trends:
When playing in December are 6-4
When playing on grass are 4-6
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When favored at home are 9-1

A few Scarlet Knights at Hokies trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Rutgers's last 5 games
Rutgers is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
Rutgers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Virginia Tech
Rutgers is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Rutgers
Virginia Tech is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games