Liberty at Virginia Tech: 11/7/20 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2) vs Liberty Flames (6-0)
Game Info: Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 2:33 pm (Lane Stadium/Worsham Field)
Betting Odds: Virginia Tech Hokies -15.5 -- Over/Under: 66 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 25th ranked Liberty Flames will travel to Lane Stadium/Worsham Field to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The 25th ranked Liberty Flames improved to 6-0 on the season after defeating the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, 56-35, on October 24th. Liberty had no trouble piling up points against the Southern Mississippi defense in this one and easily pulled away after a 38-yard TD run by the Flames Malik Willis gave Liberty a 49-28 lead midway through the 4th quarter. Liberty outgained Southern Mississippi by a 537-416 margin and forced one turnover in the victory. Leading the way for the Flames was QB Malik Willis who completed 24 of 31 passes for 345 yards & 6 TD’s while also adding 97 yards & 1 TD on the ground.
On the season, Liberty is averaging 38.0 ppg on 471.3 total yards per game (215.8 passing yds/g; 255.5 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Liberty has been led by QB Malik Willis who has completed 67.2% of his passes for 1,122 yards, 9 TD, and 1 INT. Willis is also the leading rusher for the Flames as he has 495 rushing yards & 6 TD’s on 71 carries. In the backfield with Willis has been the trio of Joshua Mack (68 att, 376 yards, 2 TD), Shedro Louis (45 att, 374 yards, 3 TD), and Peytton Pickett (62 att, 308 yards, 3 TD). The top receivers for the Flames have been DJ Stubbs (27 rec, 375 yards, 3 TD), Kevin Shaa (15 rec, 188 yards, 2 TD), and Demario Douglas (17 rec, 183 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, Liberty is allowing their opponents to average 21.3 ppg on 294.0 total yards per game (172.2j passing yds/g; 121.8 rushing yds/g).
The Virginia Tech Hokies improved to 4-2 (4-2 ACC) on the season after defeating the Louisville Cardinals, 42-35, this past Saturday. Virginia Tech rushing attack had no trouble piling up yards agianst the Louisville defense and was able to hold off a late Cardinals charge after taking a 31-14 lead early in the 4th quarter. Virginia Tech was outgained by Louisville by a 548-466 margin, however, did win the turnover battle by a 3-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Hokies was QB Hendon Hooker who completed 10 of 10 passes for 183 yards while also piling up 68 rushing yards & 3 TD’s on the ground.
On the season, Virginia Tech is averaging 37.7 ppg on 472.8 total yards per game (182.7 passing yds/g; 290.2 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Virginia Tech has been led by the RB duo of Khalil Herbert (96 att, 803 yards, 6 TD) and Raheem Blackshear (52 att, 221 yards, 2 TD). QB Hendon Hooker has completed 63.4% of his passes for 653 yards, 4 TD, and 3 INT. Hooker is also a major threat in the Hokies rushing attack as he has 359 rushing yards & 7 TD’s on 62 carries. The top receiving threats for Virginia Tech have been James Mitchell (18 rec, 311 yards, 4 TD), Tayvion Robinson (17 rec, 284 yards, 2 TD), and Tre Turner (17 rec, 254 yards).
Defensively, Virginia Tech is allowing their opponents to average 30.5 ppg on 459.8 total yards per game (264.7 passing yds/g; 195.2 rushing yds/g).
The Flames are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games on grass and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Hokies are 3-3 ATS on the season, however, are 3-0 ATS in their last three home games.
Liberty has been outstanding this season which has put them in the top-25 ranking and despite a tough match-up against Virginia Tech, I am surprised that this line is this high. Liberty is going to have a tough time slowing down the rushing attack of the Hokies, however, Virginia Tech’s defense hasn’t been great this season and I think will have trouble with Malik Willis and the Flames offense. If I had to pick a side here, I’d go with Liberty as this is a good football team that I think can kept this one within two TD’s, however, my official pick is on the over as I expect both teams to put up plenty of points in this one. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Over 66
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
