Virginia Tech is coming off a big-time down season last year where they finished 6-7. They look to turn things around and in their season opener they are -3.5 point road favorites taking on Boston College with a total sitting at 57.
The game sat at -2.5 most of the summer at 5 dimes sportsbook until syndicate action caused the game to move to -3.5 across the board a few days ago.
This is one of the few conference games on the college football schedule, as both teams look to get off to a good start in the ACC.
Boston College is coming off a pretty solid 7-5 season even though the dropped their last three games. They have a Heisman candidate in RB A.J. Dillon, who rushed for 1,108 yards and 10 TD despite missing two games.
Last season at Virginia Tech the Eagles beat the Hokies 31-24, which was their last win of the season.
Virginia Tech was 5-7 ATS last season, failed to cover at home against BC, and they have not only failed to cover in seven of their last 10 home games, but have also failed to cover in five of their last six conference games.
Losing a lot
With the poor season for Tech last year many of their key offensive players transferred, but QB Ryan Willis is back. Even with a big turnover the WR corps could be one of the better ones in the ACC with Damon Hazelton and Tre Turner had nearly 300 receiving yards in the last three games last season.
Leading rusher Steven Peoples is no longer with the Hokies and the run game is a concern, as if the offensive line, which lost three starters.
The Hokies had major turnovers on defense as well, as five of the top six LB’s are gone and five of the top six DE’s are gone as well. They have some strong players in the secondary coming back, but the run D is key for them in this game, especially facing Dillon.
Tech only ranked 106th in the nation defending run last season and their new look front line has to step up in this game against Dillon, who will have a big workload.
Not Losing a Lot
While Tech had a big overhaul Boston College did not, as Dillion, QB Anthony Brown, and Eagles leading WR Kobay White are all back.
Dillon did not have the biggest of games facing the Hokies last season with 96 yards on four yards per carry, but overall the Eagles rushed for 211 yards in the game. Travis Levy rushed for 76 yards in the game and Brown chimed in for 37 yards on the ground.
The Eagles will look to run in this game and while Brown passed for over 2,000 yards last season and was big in the last two games BC lost both and he was picked off two times in both.
BC was decent against the run last season, but only ranked 96th in the nation against the pass. However, the D is a major question mark this season, as only five players that have at least one start return to the defensive unit. The front line defense and secondary each lost key pieces and Dillon and the offense may have to carry the load.
Our Prediction
BC is 6-2 ATS in their last eight games facing Tech and they have covered the spread in seven of their last 10 games facing them at home.
The trends point to the Eagles in this game, but I will buck them. I think the BC defense will struggle in this game and while Dillon may have a solid game, he will not have a huge one. This ACC opener will be close, but the Hokies will get the win and cover the spread getting off to a good start on the season.
PICK:Virginia Tech -2.5
Read our Virginia Tech and Boston College season previews