The Hokies go into Pittsburgh to try and take care of business. Take the points or will the Panthers steal one from the odds makers? Find out exactly how both teams have been doing to educate your bet on this match-up.
Virginia Tech Goes To Panther Land
It'd be a surprise if the Hokies don't take care of business
this weekend in Pittsburgh. But is it possible for them to cover the
double-digit spread bestowed upon them?
It has been a disastrous start indeed, for the Panthers
season, which explains why they're getting ten points from odds makers against Virginia
Tech, in spite of being at home. The spread was even earlier in the week, but
it appears the public was hitting the Panthers hard. The opening number was at
11.5.
There's been no movement at all on the total, which stands
at 43 for the moment. This should be one of the lowest scoring games of the
weekend and the O/U is in line with that thought.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Maybe the Panthers should just stick to basketball. At least
they're somewhat competitive there.
To start the season, Pittsburgh lost 31-17 at home to
Youngstown State. Not a great opening performance, right? Making matters worse,
the Panthers then got trounced 34-10 last weekend against Cincinnati.
After getting shut out in the first half, the Panthers had
to wait until midway through the third quarter to get their first points of the
game: a 37-yard field goal from Kevin Harper.
All in all, starting QB Tino Sunseri was 24/37 for 278 yards
with a touchdown and interception. He spread the ball out to eight different
receivers, with Mike Shanahan, Devin Street and even running back Ray Graham
all recording at least 50 yards receiving.
In spite of offensive achievement, there is no forgiving the
Panther defense, or lack thereof, to more accurate. They gave up 464 total
yards, including 259 on the ground. Improvement has to be seen this weekend if
the Panthers want to avoid another beat-down at home.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Following a hard-fought overtime win over Georgia Tech, the
Hokies built on that victory by smashing Austin Peay 42-7 at home.
It took some time for Tech to get going. They were leading
just 7-0 after one quarter, but finally started to click in the second, where
they tacked on 14 more points. At one point in the third quarter Virginia Tech
was up 28-0.
In total, Tech racked up 419 yards of total offense, as
opposed to Austin Peay's 221. The Hokies were fantastic defensively, holding
opposing quarterback Jake Ryan to 8-of-21 completions and 62 yards. They also
picked him off twice.
Logan Thomas was solid, throwing for 212 yards and
accounting for three touchdowns: two passing and one rushing. He'll need to
continue leading this offense with confidence now that their star running back
David Wilson has moved on to the NFL.
Thomas and the Hokies will enter Saturday's contest as the
#13 team in both the AP and Coaches polls. So, at least picking the Hokies as the SU winner seems wise.
College Football Prediction
The Panthers have only scored 27 points in total through
their first two games and that was against two teams not even close in terms of
talent as to what the Hokies possess on defense.
I just don't know how Pittsburgh will be able to move the
chains at all against this stingy defense. This is a team that's had three
different coaches in as many years and that kind of turnover is difficult to deal
with for the players.
It's not as if there's going to be some rowdy crowd on hand
for this one either. The Panthers weren't getting good turnouts when the season
started and things aren't going to get any better since they've started out
0-2.
For now we simply just have to go with the Hokies to win and
cover. Virginia Tech hasn't put together a great 60 minutes of football, but
they're still far more talented on both sides of the ball.
Free College Football Pick: Virginia Tech -10