CFB Football Previews – Virginia Tech Hokies vs East Carolina Pirates
Even with some key offseason departures to the NFL, the Virginia Tech Hokies started their 2011 season in style, routing hapless Appalachian State 66-13. The challenge will increase slightly against East Carolina this week.
NCAAF Week 2: Virginia Tech vs East Carolina
Date: Saturday, September 10, 2011
Venue: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, North Carolina
Broadcast: FSN (HD)
Virginia Tech Hokies at East Carolina Pirates Betting Lines from 5Dimes.com
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Virginia Tech -19.5
Over/Under: OFF
(13) Virginia Tech Hokies (1-0)
The Hokies’ offensive stalwarts of the last few seasons, quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running backs Ryan Williams and Darren Evans, are gone, but a few new names made headlines in the rout over Appalachian State last week.
None stood out more than David Wilson, who ripped off 162 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries. Wideout Marcus Davis had a huge game of his own, catching three balls for 140 yards and two scores.
Logan Thomas wasn’t perfect in his debut as the starting quarterback, completing 9 of 19 passes, but he flashed some brilliance. He threw for 149 yards and two scores and hooked up with Davis on a 55-yard bomb. The Hokies had to be encouraged by backup Mark Leal’s performance in mop-up duty (6/9, 113 yds, 2 TD).
East Carolina Pirates (0-1)
East Carolina got torched by South Carolina for 56 points, five of which came on rushing touchdowns from Marcus Lattimore and Stephen Garcia. But, considering they were on the road, the Pirates should feel pretty good about (a) only being outgained 351 yards to 345 yards, (b) scoring 37 points of their own and (c) leading 17-0 and 24-14 at halftime. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
In the “Air Raid” spread offense, Pirates quarterback Dominique Davis followed up a 2010 campaign in which he broke nearly every school single-season record with a solid Week-1 effort. He gouged the Gamecocks for 260 passing yards and four touchdowns.
CFB Wagering Trends:
VATCH are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games overall.
Under is 6-2 in VATCH last 8 games overall.
Under is 6-2 in VATCH last 8 games on grass.
ECAR are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 vs. ACC.
ECAR are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Over is 7-3-1 in ECAR last 11 vs. ACC.
The pick:
East Carolina is just 1-7 ATS over its last eight games versus the ACC. However, it certainly put a scare in a major SEC player last week and is 6-2 ATS over its last eight home games.
The stage could be set for another great underdog effort from East Carolina – except that this is Virginia Tech. The Hokies will be ready for East Carolina after watching the Pirates push South Carolina last week. More importantly, Virginia Tech is still scarred after losing to James Madison early last season. It won’t make the same mistake twice against a little school.
Look for the Hokies to post a big score on the Pirates’ porous defense and make a statement on the road.
Virginia Tech vs East Carolina prediction: Virginia Tech 45, East Carolina 20
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Virginia Tech -19.5
Over/Under: OFF
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