The Virginia Tech Hokies and Vanderbilt Commodores meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at FirstBank Stadium. Here’s a Vanderbilt vs Virginia Tech Prediction. This article will include a Vanderbilt vs Virginia Tech Pick.
Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Preview
The Virginia Tech Hokies are coming off a 7-win season and enter the third year under coach Brent Pry. Kyron Drones returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Bhayshul Tuten returns at running back after leading the Hokies with 863 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Virginia Tech brings back its entire offensive line and quality receivers in Da’Quan Felton, Ali Jennings and Stephen Gosnell.
Defensively, Keli Lawson returns after leading the Hokies with 80 tackles, Antwaun Powell-Ryland had 9.5 sacks and Dorian Strong had 3 interceptions. The ACC is a deep, improved conference, so we can’t get crazy with expectations, but there’s enough returning production for Virginia Tech to be an above average team this season.
Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Preview
The Vanderbilt Commodores have won 2 or fewer games in 3 of their last 4 seasons and enter year 4 under coach Clark Lea. Vanderbilt hasn’t reached a bowl game since the 2018 season. Vanderbilt has a new quarterback in New Mexico State transfer Diego Pavia, who was the 2023 C-USA OPOY and has 39 career passing touchdowns and 13 rushing touchdowns. Leading rusher Sedrick Alexander is back after 371 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Vanderbilt has to find receivers with its top-3 pass catchers no longer on the roster.
Defensively, Langston Patterson returns after leading Vanderbilt with 74 tackles, CJ Taylor had 3 sacks and De’Rickey Wright had 2 interceptions. Vanderbilt never has the depth to seriously compete in the SEC, and this program has been a mess the last few seasons. However, the Commodores will be watchable with a playmaker at quarterback for the first time since maybe the Jordan Rodgers days.
Why the Virginia Tech Hokies will win
- Vanderbilt has lost each of its last 10 games.
- The favorite has won 17 of Vanderbilt’s last 18 games at FirstBank Stadium.
- Vanderbilt has failed to cover the spread in each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The favorite has covered the spread in six of Virginia Tech’s last seven games.
- Vanderbilt has lost the first half in each of its last four games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Vanderbilt’s last 10 games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of Virginia Tech’s last five games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Vanderbilt ranked T13th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (9.7).
- Vanderbilt suffered the most losses by a margin of 15+ points of any FBS team last season (9).
- Virginia Tech ranked T10th among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.692).
- Virginia Tech ranked 11th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (4.2).
Vanderbilt vs Virginia Tech Prediction
Virginia Tech has clear and away the better roster, and we’ve seen Vanderbilt get slapped silly over the last few seasons. It would be business as usual to see Vanderbilt roll over like a dog against a talented, physical Hokies squad. Until proven otherwise, there’s not to like about Vanderbilt. However, Vanderbilt does have a playmaker at quarterback in Diego Pavia and sometimes that’s all it takes. Paviawas a baller at New Mexico State last season, and he has the potential to do some things with the Commodores. There should be some optimism at least around Vanderbilt’s offense.
Virginia Tech is also 5-9 ATS in its last 14 games as a double-digit favorite. Give me Vanderbilt and the free touchdowns.