Virginia Tech at Wake Forest: 10/24/20 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-2) vs Virginia Tech Hokies (3-1)
Game Info: Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 3:30 pm (Truist Field)
Betting Odds: Wake Forest Demon Deacons +6.5 -- Over/Under: 70.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 19th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies will travel to Truist Field to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The 19th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies improved to 3-1 (3-1 ACC) on the season after defeating the Boston College Eagles, 40-14, this past Saturday. Virginia Tech did an outstanding job creating turnovers against the Eagles and had no trouble pulling away for the victory after scoring 24 unanswered points to close out the game. Virginia Tech outgained Boston College by a 461-435 margin and won the turnover battle by a 5-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Hokies was QB Hendon Hooker who completed 11 of 15 passes for 111 yards & 1 TD while also adding 164 rushing yards & 3 TD’s on 18 carries.
On the season, Virginia Tech is averaging 42.0 ppg on 484.5 total yards per game (172.5 passing yds/g; 312.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Virginia Tech has been led by RB Khalil Herbert who has 592 rushing yards & 5 TD’s on 61 carries. Hendon Hooker (64.3 Comp %, 247 yards, 3 TD) looks like he has taken over the starting QB duties from Braxton Burmeister and on top of being efficient in the passing game, is the 2nd leading rusher for the Hokies with 193 yards & 4 TD’s. Rb Raheem Blackshear is also a threat for the Virginia Tech running game as he has 153 yards & 2 TD on 34 carries. The leading receivers for the Hokies have been James Mitchell (12 rec, 214 yards, 3 TD) & Tayvion Robinson (12 rec, 199 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, Virginia Tech is allowing their opponents to average 31.3 ppg on 473.8 total yards per game (282.0 passing yds/g; 191.8 rushing yds/g).
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons won their 2nd straight game and improved to 2-2 (1-2 ACC) on the season after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers, 40-23, this past Saturday. Wake Forest was able to force some timely turnovers against the Virginia and was able to hold off the Cavaliers for the victory after a 9-yard TD run by Kenneth Walker III gave Wake Forest a 37-23 lead with 11:38 left in the 4th quarter. Wake Forest outgained Virginia by a 483-420 margin and won the turnover battle by a 3-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Demon Deacons was RB Kenneth Walker III who had 128 rushing yards & 3 TD’s on 23 carries.
On the season, Wake Forest is averaging 40.3 ppg on 443.0 total yards per game (278.3 passing yds/g; 164.8 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Wake Forest has been led by the RB duo of Kenneth Walker III (67 att, 383 yards, 7 TD) & Christian Beal-Smith (58 att, 256 yards, 4 TD). QB Sam Hartman has completed 62.0% of his passes for 893 yard & 3 TD. The top receivers for the Demon Deacons and Hartman have been Jaquarii Roberson (20 rec, 314 yards, TD), Donavon Greene (10 rec, 198 yards), Taylor Morin (15 rec, 197 yards, 2 TD), and A.T. Perry (13 rec, 194 yards, TD).
Defensively, Wake Forest is allowing their opponents to average 29.8 ppg on 451.5 total yards per game (253.3 passing yds/g; 198.3 rushing yds/g).
The Hokies are 2-2 ATS on the season and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 conference games. The Demon Deacons are 3-1 ATS on the season and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Virginia Tech continues to win games with a strong rushing attack and a defense that forces turnovers, however, I do think the Hokies will have a game against a Demon Deacons team that is playing better than I expected after losing a bunch of offense talent this past offseason. Wake Forest is averaging over 40 points per game and has had a balance attack with solid play from QB Sam Hartman & Kenneth Walker. Wake Forest has done a great job of protecting the football as the Demon Deacons have committed just one turnover on the season and as long as they protect the ball against the Hokies, I think Wake Forest does enough with the points at home to cover. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Wake Forest Demon Deacons +6.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
