Falcons vs Hokies NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
Virginia Tech was stunned last weekend in Pittsburgh. The Hokies look to regroup at home against Bowling Green. The Falcons played Florida tough in Gainesville earlier this year, so they certainly aren’t a cupcake.
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Virginia Tech Hokies
Lane Stadium, Blacksburg Virginia
Saturday September 22, 12:00 PM EST on ESPNU
College Football Betting Odds from Bovada
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Virginia Tech -19 (-110) vs. Bowling Green +19 (-110)
Over/Under: 48
The Hokies are extremely tough to beat at Lane Stadium. Can the Hokies get back on track?
Bowling Green
Matt Schilz hasn’t gotten into a rhythm so far this year for Bowling Green at quarterback. Schilz is a third-year starter who had a breakout season in 2011, but 2012 is off to a slow start. So far this season Schilz has thrown just one touchdown and three interceptions. The team will need him to get better if they are going to contend for a bowl berth. Anthon Samuel is the leading rusher for the Falcons. Samuel is averaging 5.1 yards per carry this year. Bowling Green has lost some top-notch receivers in the past couple years, but the Falcons have three receivers with at least 15 catches this year.
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The Falcons defense has been pretty good this year. Florida struggled to get going offensively against this unit. Bowling Green held Florida to just 27 points. Additionally, Toledo scored just 27 points on this unit last week. Bowling Green has more strength in the front seven than most MAC teams. Opponents have been able to beat the Falcons through the air. Will the Falcons dare Logan Thomas to throw it this week?
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech seems to be encouraging Logan Thomas to do the majority of his work with his arm this year. Thomas’ carries from the quarterback position are down from a year ago. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Thomas has been a bit of an enigma for the Hokies. He has been spectacular at times, but at other times he has been surprisingly bad. Thomas threw zero interceptions in the team’s first two games, but he was picked off three times last week at Pittsburgh in the Hokies 35-17 loss. Virginia Tech doesn’t have the strong running back that they have had the majority of the time in recent years. Michael Holmes is the team’s leading rusher, but he only has 100 yards rushing so far this year. This offense needs to become more consistent.
The Hokies defense is very good overall. They were roughed up last week by Pittsburgh, which was definitely a surprise. The Panthers rolled up 537 total yards of offense against Virginia Tech. Injuries have been a problem for this defense already in 2012. D.J. Coles was hurt in week one, and he isn’t expected back this year. Star corner Kyle Fuller was injured last week, and he is listed as questionable for this game. Virginia Tech needs to get after Schilz and force some turnovers this week.
Both offenses are struggling right now, and the defenses have played well overall. Look for an ugly game that stays lower scoring than most would expect.
Trends:
BGREN are 22-10-1 ATS in their last 33 road games.
VATCH are 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 home games.
VATCH are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 vs. MAC.
Free College Football Pick: Under 48
