Will Ohio State cover vs. VA Tech?
LAS VEGAS, NV (The Spread) – Has Ohio State been overvalued as an 11.5-point favorite in its game tonight against Virginia Tech at 8:00PM ET?
Ohio State opened its season with a 34-17 win over Navy. The Buckeyes were down at halftime but in the end proved to be too much for Navy and covered the 14.5-point spread. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, opened up its season versus William & Mary and cruised to a comfortable 34-9 win. This will be the first meeting between these two teams so there is no history to draw from.
Quarterback J.T. Barrett picked up some experience in that win over Navy and it was impressive how the Buckeyes rebounded after being down at the half. Virginia Tech blew out William & Mary but no surprise there.
I expect Ohio State to cover the double digit spread fairly easy in this game. The Buckeyes having to play without quarterback Braxton Miller has received plenty of media attention, and deservedly so, as he is definitely a playmaker, but Barrett showed he’s going to be a capable quarterback this season.
Virginia Tech has been strong on the defensive side of the ball and will do their best to shake up Barrett but I have no doubt Ohio State coach Urban Meyer will have the offense prepared. The key for the Buckeyes will be to limit their mistakes and to not beat themselves. The Hokies haven’t faired well on the road with a 2-10 ATS record in their last 12 road games.
Virginia Tech has been one of those teams where you just don’t know who’s going to show up and I just don’t see them meeting expectations and covering this spread. This is one of those games where people are expecting an upset and it’s just not going to happen. The Hokies will have to show me more than a blowout win over William & Mary to back them at this point in the season. Lay the points on Ohio State.
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