Reactivating a rivalry that’s been dormant for over a decade, West Virginia and Virginia Tech will open the new college football season against each other on FedEx Field – the home of the Washington Redskins. The series has been fairly back and forth over the years and the betting line should close with a spread of less than a touchdown.
- West Virginia is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games against Virginia Tech.
- The favored team is 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games in this matchup.
- Virginia Tech is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games in Week 1.
One of the biggest factors in the game is how good quarterback Will Grier can be coming off his PED suspension and subsequent transfer to West Virginia. The former Florida man is now in his junior year and he’s thrown just 161 passes but is undoubtedly a massive talent capable of leading the Mountaineers to the top of the Big 12.
Before he was caught for juicing, Grier helped the Gators win their first six games, accumulating a 10:3 touchdown to interception ratio. The team went on to go 4-4 SU without Grier, losing its final three games of the season, including a 41-7 blowout at the hands of Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
The Hokies’ situation at QB is a bit more convoluted. They’ll start the year with freshman Josh Jackson under center after Jerod Evans took his talents to the NFL and that will most likely give the Mountaineers the advantage on offense.
Expect an incredibly tight affair in a game that’s been in the making for many years and expect Grier to try to put on a show. If he leads the Mountaineers to victory in this rivalry matchup, he'll immediately endear himself to the WVU fans.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had set the Virginia Tech Hokies as 2.5-point underdogs on the Sportsbook betting line for this contest. Watch for OVER/UNDER updates and superior underdogs lines at Sportsbook.
Earlier, OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game picked a 35-33 victory for the Hokies. That score may change during the week, if injury or weather factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs Virginia Tech Hokies Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Virginia Tech battles the West Virginia Mountaineers, currently with a 0-0 mark (0-0 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals betting, are 0-0 for the Hokies and 0-0 for the West Virginia Mountaineers. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Virginia Tech vs West Virginia injuries news.
The Virginia Tech Hokies sit at No. 23 in the current College Football Power Rankings here at OddsShark, while the West Virginia Mountaineers are at No. 30 on that chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Virginia Tech's No. -ranked offense, averaging PPG, against a West Virginia defense that ranks No. this week at PPG. The Virginia Tech aerial game is averaging yards per game, more than the West Virginia Mountaineers secondary allows through the air, YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the West Virginia Mountaineers owned the league's No. 12-rated front 7 last season in terms of stopping the run, allowing 121.6 yards per game when on the road. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, rated No. 62 in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last game, the Mountaineers came out on the wrong end of 31-14 score against Miami-FL.
Cam Phillips hauled in 6 passes for 115 yards against the Arkansas defense in the team's last game, leading Virginia Tech over the Razorbacks 35-24.
- West Virginia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
- West Virginia is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of West Virginia's last 10 games
- West Virginia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Virginia Tech
- Virginia Tech is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Virginia Tech is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
- Virginia Tech is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing West Virginia
- Virginia Tech is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing West Virginia
Next Betting Matchups
West Virginia home to East Carolina, Saturday, September 9
Virginia Tech home to Delaware, Saturday, September 9
