Virginia Tech vs. Duke Pick
Can No. 19 Virginia Tech stay in the ACC race on Saturday when the Hokies hit the road to face Duke at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Virginia Tech is favored on the road in this game, as the Hokies are getting odds of -11 points against Duke. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 52.5 points. Virginia Tech has won eight of the last 10 meetings with Duke, but the two have each covered the spread in five of those 10 meetings.
Virginia Tech is coming off a 39-36 win at Pittsburgh last week to improve to 6-2 on the season and 4-1 in the ACC. The Hokies are 4-4 against the spread this season as well, but just 1-2 ATS in their last three games. Tech is great on defense, as the Hokies are giving up 20.1 points and 321.5 yards per contest, including just 113.1 rushing yards per game. On offense, Virginia Tech is averaging 36 points and 450.9 yards per game. Jerod Evans has thrown for 2,017 yards and 21 touchdowns this season and only has two interceptions. He has also run for 450 yards and three touchdowns. He is dealing with an ankle injury, but is expected to play. Travon McMillian has run for 455 yards and three scores while Isaiah Ford has caught 46 passes for 648 yards and six touchdowns.
Duke is coming off a 38-35 loss at Georgia Tech last week to fall to 3-5 on the season and 0-4 in the ACC. Despite that, the Blue Devils are 5-3 against the spread and they have covered the spread in three straight games. Duke is putting up 24.5 points and 4-1.9 yards per game, but allowing 23.9 points and 393.1 yards per contest. The offense will be hampered, as leading rusher Jela Duncan has run for 450 yards and six touchdowns. Duncan ruptured his Achilles tendon last week. Receiver Anthony Nash is also hurt due to a broken collarbone. He has 29 receptions for 398 yards and two touchdowns. QB Daniel Jones has thrown for 1,889 yards and 11 touchdowns, but also has nine interceptions.
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The Hokies are a strong team, but they aren’t necessarily a team that is going to run over opponents. They suffered a 14-point loss to Syracuse and narrowly beat Pittsburgh. Duke is 4-1 ATS in its last five and their last win came at home. I suspect the Blue Devils will be able to keep this game somewhat competitive.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 10 PICK: DUKE +11