Virginia Tech at West Virginia - 9/18/21 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1) vs Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0)
Game Info: Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 12:00 pm (Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium)
Betting Odds: West Virginia Mountaineers -3 -- Over/Under: 49.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 15th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies will travel to Milan Puskar Stadium to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The 15th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies improved to 2-0 on the season after defeating the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 35-14, this past Saturday. Virginia Tech led by just a 14-7 margin at halftime, however, the Hokies were able to pull away in the 2nd half as 21 unanswered points gave the Hokies a 35-14 lead early in the 4th quarter. Virginia Tech outgained Middle Tennessee by a 383-349 margin while also winning the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin. Leading the way for the Hokies was QB Raheem Blackshear who completed 14 of 24 passes for 142 yards & 1 TD while also rushing for 52 yards on 8 carries.
On the season, Virginia Tech is averaging 26.0 ppg on 339.5 total yards per game (164 passing yds/g; 175.5 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Virginia Tech has been led by QB Braxton Burmeister who has completed 60.5% of his passes for 311 yards, 2 TD & 1 INT. Burmeister is also a threat with his legs as he is also the leading rusher for the Hokies with 94 rushing yards & 1 TD on 17 carries. Virginia Tech has a strong backfield duo in Jalen Holston (18 att, 80 yards, TD) & Raheem Blackshear (21 att, 69 yards, 2 TD; 4 rec, 71 yards). The leading receivers for the Hokies have been Tre’ Turner (8 rec, 131 yards), Tayvion Robinson (5 rec, 43 yards, TD), & James Mitchell (5 rec, 42 yards, TD). James Mitchell will not be available for the Hokies after suffering a season ending injury last week.
Defensively, Virginia Tech is holding their opponents to an average of 12.0 ppg on 351.5 total yards per game (245.5 passing yds/g; 106.0 rushing yds/g).
The West Virginia Mountaineers improved to 1-0 on the season after defeating the Long Island University Sharks, 66-0, this past Saturday. West Virginia made quick work of Long Island University and had no trouble securing the victory after going up by a 21-0 margin by the end of the 1st quarter. West Virginia outgained Long Island University by a 542-95 margin which each team committed 1 turnover. Leading the way for the Mountaineers was QB Jarret Doege who completed 14 of 22 passes for 259 yards & 3 TD.
On the season, West Virginia is averaging 45.0 ppg on 433.5 total yards per game (310.5 passing yds/g; 123.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, West Virginia has been led by QB Jarret Doege who has completed 61.3% of his passes for 536 yards, 4 TD, & 2 INT. The top receiving threats for the Mountaineers have been Sean Ryan (6 rec, 125 yards, TD), Sam James (8 rec, 120 yards, 2 TD), Winston Wright Jr. (9 rec, 101 yards), & Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6 rec, 97 yards). Leading the way for the West Virginia backfield has been the duo of Leddie Brown (32 att, 104 yards, 4 TD) & Garrett Greene (14 att, 98 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, West Virginia is holding their opponents to an average of 15.0 ppg on 295.5 total yards per game (196.0 passing yds/g; 99.5 rushing yds/g).
The Hokies are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games & just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games. The Mountaineers are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 home games and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games in September.
Virginia Tech has looked impressive to start the season, however, it was a bit concerning to see the Hokies struggle at time against the passing attack of the Blue Raiders last week. West Virginia is a balanced team on both sides of the ball and between the fact that Virginia Tech generally doesn’t play as well on the road and that I think the Mountaineers defense is going to give the Hokies trouble in this one, I think the play here is to take West Virginia to cover this small spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick West Virginia Mountaineers -3
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
