College Football Betting News and Notes Thursday, September 26

NCAAF Week 5

Virginia Tech won seven of last nine games with Georgia Tech, as dogs covered six of last seven series games; Hokies won three of last four here with only loss 28-23 (-3.5) in '09. Jackets are 7-4 last 11 times they've been home favorite; they've won six of last seven ACC home games, 3-1 vs spread in last four. Hokies lost last three ACC home games by 14-21-18 points, allowing 38.7 ppg; since '09 thery're 0-3 as road dogs- they struggled to beat pair of C-USA teams last two weeks, beating Marshall in rain last week. Jackets had 688 rushing yards in pair of ACC wins, by 24-8 points over Duke/North Carolina.

Iowa State/Tulsa split pair of games LY, with Tulsa winning 31-17 in Liberty Bowl (even) after losing 38-23 (-2) in season opener up in Ames. Cyclones got outrushed 218-59 in 27-21 rivalry loss to Iowa, after losing to I-AA Northern Iowa- they lost 13 starters from LY- they're 11-8 vs spread in last 19 non-league tilts, 10-7 as road dog under coach Rhoads. Tulsa is 7-5 as home favorite under Blankenship; they had last week off after getting drilled by Oklahoma; Hurricane has only three starters back on defense- their only win was 30-27 (-10.5) over Colorado State after they lost 34-7 in opener at Bowling Green.

Armadillosports.com

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
By Joe Nelson
VegasInsider.com

The ACC takes center stage again on Thursday night after last week’s sloppy game between Clemson and NC State. This week’s game features two Coastal division rivals in a rematch of a game that went overtime last season. The winner of this game could have a head start on the division title and the winner will almost certainly find themselves in the Top 25 next week with both teams in the ‘others receiving votes’ list this week.

Matchup: Virginia Tech Hokies at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Venue: Bobby Dood Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (grass)
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2013
Time/TV: 7:30 PM ET – ESPN
Line: Georgia Tech -7½, Over/Under 43½
Last Meeting: 2012 at Virginia Tech (-7½), Virginia Tech 20-17 OT

These teams opened the 2012 season on Labor Day with a compelling game led by defense. A 7-7 tie was broken in the fourth quarter and after Georgia Tech seemingly won the game with a touchdown with 44 seconds to go, Virginia Tech managed to force overtime with a late field goal. The Hokies prevailed in overtime but neither team went on to have the season that most expected as both teams finished with just seven wins even after bowl victories.

Georgia Tech was the representative in the ACC Championship game last season by default as North Carolina and Miami were not eligible for the postseason but the Yellow Jackets played highly ranked Florida State tough and then went on to soundly defeat USC in the Sun Bowl, a win that provided a nice finish to an otherwise rocky season. Things are looking much more promising this year with back-to-back ACC wins over Duke and North Carolina the last two weeks. The Yellow Jackets are in the midst of a very tough stretch of the schedule however with road games at Miami and at BYU the next two weeks.

While Virginia Tech lost the big opening game with Alabama by 25-points, it was about as impressive as a 25-point loss could be. The defending two-time national champions were held to just 206 total yards and while the Hokies did not accomplish a lot on offense either the defense earned major respect. Alabama might have been in caught in a very tight game if not for three non-offensive touchdowns that helped them pull away. Virginia Tech has won all three games since the opening loss but the wins have not come easily, with a 15-10 win at East Carolina and needing three overtimes to beat Marshall 29-21, getting big tests from two of the better teams in Conference USA the last two weeks.

After facing passing offenses the last two weeks, the Virginia Tech defense will face a difficult adjustment on a short week with Georgia Tech’s triple-option attack. The Hokies have won four of the five games in this series since Paul Johnson took over in Atlanta in 2008 but only one meeting was decided by more than seven points. Georgia Tech has rushed for 345 yards per game this season but if the Yellow Jackets are going to compete for the division title again it will be because of the improvement on defense, allowing just 11 points per game through three games and limiting Duke and North Carolina to just 34 combined points. Last week’s win over the Tar Heels was particularly impressive as the team did not panic after falling behind 20-7 and the defense did not allow a point in the second half.

While Conference USA may not be that strong this season, holding East Carolina to 10 points and Marshall to just 21 points in an impressive showing for the Virginia Tech defense as those two teams could end up among the higher scoring teams in the nation by the time the season is over. The secondary for the Hokies may be one of the best in the nation even with cornerback Antone Exum still out of action for likely a few more weeks. Defending the pass will not be the issue this week as the Hokies will need to hold up front against the rushing attack and the linebacker unit which may be the weakest spot of the defense will have a big test.

Sophomore quarterback Vad Lee already has passed for seven touchdowns this season for Georgia Tech while also scoring on a rushing touchdown in each game. Lee is second on the team in rushing behind senior running back David Sims but this is a team that really spreads the ball around as in three games 14 different players have at least two carries. Junior DeAndre Smelter has been the leading receiver and his size adds another dimension to an offense that has been passing just enough to keep the offense running smoothly. One area of concern for Georgia Tech has been in the kicking game as the Yellow Jackets are just one for three on field goal attempts with both misses from freshman Harrison Butker coming from less than 40 yards.

The Virginia Tech offense starts with senior quarterback Logan Thomas who is one of the biggest mobile quarterbacks that college football has ever seen. He has worked hard on his passing now in his third season as a starter but he has thrown six interceptions already this season and is not any closer to shedding his reputation as a turnover-prone quarterback. His numbers have improved after completing just four passes against Alabama but he has thrown an interception in every game and is yet to complete more than 59 percent of his passes in a single game this season, not even against Western Carolina. After rushing minimally in the first three games of the season Thomas ran 23 times last week including two touchdown runs and the Hokies are most dangerous when he is providing a threat on the ground as well as he did rush for over 400 yards last season. Freshman Trey Edmunds has been the top rusher for the Hokies, averaging 4.5 yards per carry with 352 yards in four games and the Hokies have three receivers with at least 12 catches but there have been few big plays in the passing game.

This game will provide the biggest test of the season for the Georgia Tech offense as last year the Yellow Jackets had to work for just 288 yards against the Hokies in the opening week loss. The Georgia Tech defense also allowed Thomas to have one of his better games last year and it will be interesting to see if the Yellow Jackets have really improved as much as the early season numbers are suggesting as this was a team that allowed 28 points and 374 yards per game last season. Georgia Tech was just 4-3 S/U at home last year but Virginia Tech only won once on the road last season, though they have already matched that win count this season.

Last Meeting: Georgia Tech went up 17-14 with just 44 seconds to go last season in Blacksburg in the opening game of the season to seemingly deliver a great upset win. Virginia Tech had two timeouts left and they got a 22-yard play on first down to approach midfield. After a few short completions it was 4th and 4 with just 13 seconds left at the Georgia Tech 47-yard line. The Hokies managed to connect for a 23-yard play to give kicker Cody Journell a chance. Journell had missed a kick earlier in the fourth quarter from a shorter distance and this was his first game after being suspended for the Sugar Bowl the previous season. He hit the 41-yard field goal to force overtime and after the Hokies got an interception in overtime on Georgia Tech’s possession, he drilled the game-winner from short range.

Series History: Georgia Tech is just 1-4 S/U but 4-1 ATS in the last five years of this series. Since 1990 Georgia Tech is 3-7 S/U and 5-5 ATS in the series. Two years ago in Atlanta Virginia Tech won 37-26 as a slight home favorite and the last win for the Yellow Jackets came at home in 2009, 28-23 as a slight home underdog over a then #4 Hokies squad. This will be the first time since 2008 that neither team is ranked in this matchup.

Line Movement: After opening at -7½ the line did push up to -8 but has settled back down to -7½. The total has climbed, opening at 41½ and up to 43½ at most outlets by Wednesday.

Virginia Tech Historical Trends: Since 1980 Virginia Tech is 64-42-3 ATS as an underdog, including going 16-9-1 ATS since 2001. Virginia Tech is just 1-4-1 ATS in the last six games as an underdog however going back to the 2010 season. Since 2004 Virginia Tech is 34-10 S/U and 28-16 ATS in road games but since the start of the 2012 season the Hokies are 2-4 S/U and 0-6 ATS in road games.

Georgia Tech Historical Trends: Georgia Tech is just 49-61-7 ATS as a home favorite since 1980. Since Paul Johnson took over the Yellow Jackets are 21-6 S/U and a 15-10-2 ATS as a home favorite however. Georgia Tech has won and covered in six consecutive games as a favorite of seven or more points.

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com

Virginia Tech Hokies at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-7, 42)

Georgia Tech seeks to continue its strong start in the ACC while visiting Virginia Tech strives to continue its recent success against the Yellow Jackets when the squads meet Thursday night. Georgia Tech has won its first two ACC games for just the third time in 15 years and can place a firm grasp on the Coastal Division lead with a win over the Hokies, their biggest division threat. Virginia Tech has won three straight and five of the last six meetings.

The Yellow Jackets defeated North Carolina 28-20 last week and have won six consecutive ACC regular-season games, one shy of the school mark set from 2009-10. Virginia Tech has won three consecutive games since losing to Alabama in its opener, but had to go into triple-overtime before outlasting Marshall 29-21 last week. The Hokies beat Georgia Tech last season 20-17 in overtime.

LINE: Georgia Tech opened at -7.5 and has moved to a touchdown favorite. The total opened at 41.5 and has moved up to 42.5.

WEATHER: Temperatures in the high 60s with partly cloudy skies and winds blowing ENE at 5 mph.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (3-1, 0-0 ACC, 0-3-1 ATS): Senior quarterback Logan Thomas is off to a poor start, completing 48.5 percent of his passes and being intercepted six times while throwing four touchdown passes. Thomas has rushed for 22 career touchdowns - one off the school mark for quarterbacks set by Tyrod Taylor (2007-10) - while redshirt freshman Trey Edmunds (who rushed for 132 yards against Alabama in his first collegiate game) has a team-best 352 rushing yards. Senior defensive end J.R. Collins has a team-best 4.5 sacks, senior middle linebacker Jack Tyler has a team-high 33 tackles while freshman cornerback Brandon Facyson (three) and junior safety Detrick Bonner (two) have combined for five of the Hokies’ nine interceptions for a defense that ranks fifth nationally (233.3 yards per game).

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (3-0, 2-0 ACC, 3-0-0 ATS): The Yellow Jackets are racking up 345.3 yards per game on the ground (fourth nationally) and have rushed for at least 324 in each game. Senior David Sims (211 yards) has yet to be tackled for a loss on 38 rushes, sophomore quarterback Vad Lee (seven passing touchdowns) has 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and senior Robert Godhigh (174 yards) is averaging 12.4 yards per rush and also has five receptions for 83 yards. Defensively, the Yellow Jackets are allowing 11.3 points (12th nationally) and are unsure whether junior outside linebacker Quayshawn Nealy (hamstring) or sophomore safety Chris Milton (wrist) will be available due to injuries suffered in the North Carolina game.

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Hokies are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Underdog is 6-1 ATS in their last seven meetings.
* Road team is 6-1 ATS in their last seven meetings.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Virginia Tech leads the series 7-3.

2. Georgia Tech is 18-0 when scoring 40 or more points in coach Paul Johnson’s six seasons.

3. The Hokies scored their 18th blocked-punt touchdown during coach Frank Beamer’s 27-season tenure last week when senior Kyle Fuller made the block and junior Derek DiNardo recovered and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown.

Iowa State at Tulsa: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com

Iowa State Cyclones at Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (-2.5, 54)

Despite a lack of familiarity with each other historically, Iowa State and Tulsa are far from strangers. On Thursday, the Golden Hurricane welcome the Cyclones in the third game between the schools over the last 12 months. Iowa State kicked off its 2012 campaign with a 38-23 comeback victory over Tulsa on Sept. 1, but the Golden Hurricane returned the favor 31-17 in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31 to cap off the second 11-win season in school history.

Both schools are off to a slow start in 2013 and coming off difficult losses. Iowa State fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2007 in a 27-21 home setback against Iowa on Sept. 14 despite a career day from sophomore receiver Quenton Bundrage. Tulsa was routed by Oklahoma 51-20 on the same day, allowing scores on nine of the Sooners’ 11 possessions while also surrendering 607 yards of total offense.

LINE: Tulsa opened as a 3-point favorite and has been bet down to -2.5. The total has remained steady at 54 points.

WEATHER: Temperatures in the low 80s with clear skies and winds blowing SSE at 8 mph.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (0-2, 0-2 ATS): Bundrage set career highs with seven catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns, getting two of those scores over the final 4:27 as the Cyclones attempted to rally from a 20-point deficit. Sophomore quarterback Sam Richardson made his fourth career start against Iowa, but was still hampered by the sprained ankle he suffered in a season-opening loss to Northern Iowa. Coach Paul Rhoads suggested that if Richardson – who is also dealing with a groin injury – is limited Thursday, backup Grant Rohach will take over.

ABOUT TULSA (1-2, 0-3 ATS): The Golden Hurricane were unanimously selected to repeat as Conference USA West Division champions, but have been held to less than 95 yards rushing in each of their losses to Bowling Green and Oklahoma. "You can't just plan on becoming more physical and have it happen," coach Bill Blankenship said. "You have to grow into it. I hope that's where we are now." Senior running back Trey Watts has been a bright spot, however, and ranks third in the nation with 200 all-purpose yards per game.

TRENDS:

* Cyclones are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a bye week.
* Golden Hurricane are 1-7 ATS in their last eight vs. Big 12.
* Under is 13-5 in Cyclones last 18 road games.
* Under is 7-2 in Golden Hurricane last 9 home games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Tulsa has won eight in a row at home, but each of the last four victories – and five of the last six – have come by six points or fewer.

2. Iowa State has yielded an average of 223 rushing yards over its first two games, which ranks 108th in FBS.

3. The Golden Hurricane’s two rushing touchdowns against the Sooners were their first of the season.