West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech Prediction
Non-conference border-state rivals West Virginia and Virginia Tech square off in Blacksburg, VA at 7:30 PM ET on Thursday night. Can WVU secure their first Power 5 win of the season as small road favorites?
These two teams played each other last year in Morgantown, WV, and the Mountaineers won it 27-21. West Virginia is 1-2 on the year, but they’re a few plays from being 3-0. They lost week 1 to Pittsburgh in the Backyard Brawl 38-31 and then lost in overtime to an upstart Kansas team 55-42 on a game-losing pick-six. They need this game on Thursday to stay on track for a bowl game.
Virginia Tech is an unimpressive 2-1 with wins over Boston College and Wofford. They lost their opening week matchup at home to Old Dominion. They haven’t scored more than 27 points in any of their three games.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
303 West Virginia Mountaineers -1.5 at 304 Virginia Tech Hokies +1.5; O/U 50.5
7:30 PM ET Thursday, September 22nd, 2022
Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech Public Betting Information
The public is favoring the Mountaineers at -1.5. Our CFB Public Betting Page shows that 65% of public bets are on West Virginia in this game. Do note that those numbers are subject to change and could be different once game time rolls around.
West Virginia Game Notes
The Mountaineers are lighting up the scoreboard in the early going, averaging 46 points per game. Their three best offensive players are former USC and Georgia quarterback J.T. Daniels, tight end C.J. Donaldson, and wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton. Daniels was a highly touted recruit from southern California, and he’s thrown for 753 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions through three games on the season. The Mountaineers’ offensive ceiling will depend on how well he plays.
C.J. Donaldson is listed as a tight end but has been deployed more as a running back. The 6’2” 240-pound Miami native runs with a bruising style, is averaging 9.4 yards per carry this season, and already has 6 touchdowns through three games. Bryce Ford-Wheaton is the Mountaineers’ best receiver and he showed out in the Kansas game, hauling in 11 passes for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Virginia Tech Game Notes
This will be a big game for Hokies’ quarterback Grant Wells, who’s a Charleston, WV native. The 6’2” 208-pound junior was flummoxed by Old Dominion’s defense in the opener, throwing 4 interceptions in the Hokies’ 20-17 loss. He hasn’t thrown an interception since. He’ll have a chance to improve his touchdown to interception ratio against a West Virginia defense that is giving up 6.1 yards per play, good for 96th in the country out of 131 FBS teams.
If Virginia Tech is going to win this game, it’s going to be because of their defense. The Hokies are second in the nation in yards allowed per play, at 3.0. But they haven’t faced an offense as dynamic as West Virginia’s yet this season, so this will be a tough test for them on Thursday.
West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech Betting Trends
West Virginia is 7-8 straight up in their last 15 games.
Virginia Tech is 7-8 straight up in their last 15 games.
54% of the handle is on Virginia Tech +1.5.
West Virginia is 8-8 ATS dating back to the beginning of last year.
Virginia Tech is 6-10 ATS dating back to the beginning of last season.
West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech Betting Prediction
Virginia Tech is 110th in the country at 4.2 yards gained per play. Their defensive numbers are solid, but they’ve only faced Old Dominion, Boston College, and Wofford. They haven’t seen an offense like Neal Brown’s squad from Morgantown, and I think they’ll struggle to stop the Mountaineers all night. The over at 52.5 is in play, but I like West Virginia to cover the number as small road favorites. They need this game badly.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 4 PREDICTION: WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS -1.5
