Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

On defense, Antwaun Powell-Ryland is back on the line after posting 9.5 sacks and 14.5 TFLs last year while Cole Nelson is on the other side to flank Duke transfer Aeneas Peebles and Kelvin Gilliam who comes over from Oklahoma. Keli Lawson’s back after recording a team-high 80 tackles while Sam Brumfield is coming in from Middle Tennessee to provide some depth. Dorian Strong is back to lead Virginia Tech’s secondary after putting up a team-high 3 interceptions while Jalen Stroman comes back at safety after finishing 3rd in tackles for Virginia Tech last year.

Why the Virginia Tech Hokies will win

• Vanderbilt has lost each of its last 10 games.
• The favorite has won 17 of Vanderbilt's last 18 games at FirstBank Stadium.
• Vanderbilt has failed to cover the spread in each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• The favorite has covered the spread in six of Virginia Tech's last seven games.

Vanderbilt Team Preview

The Vanderbilt Commodores will try to get back on track in 2024 after a frustrating 2023 season where the ‘Dores finished 2-10 overall and winless in SEC play at 0-8. Things might get a bit more fun in Nashville, with Diego Pavia following new offensive coordinator Tim Beck over from New Mexico State to lead the Commodores at QB1, while Nate Johnson comes in from Utah to provide some challenge. Pavia is a dual threat, but Sedrick Alexander is back after rushing for 371 yards and 4 TDs and will likely get a heavier workload this year. The receiving corps needs retooling after the top three receivers from last year transferred out, but Junior Sherrill and Quincy Skinner return, while Loic Fouonji comes over from Texas Tech and Eli Stowers follows Pavia and Beck from NMSU to get a crack at tight end.

On defense, Khordae Sydnor transfers in from Purdue to anchor the defensive line for Vandy around Devin Lee and Yilann Outtara. Langston Patterson returns for the ‘Dores after leading the way with 74 tackles while Prince Kollie will be a presence on the edge. CJ Taylor and De’Rickey Wright will be the mainstays as well in the Vanderbilt secondary.

Why the Vanderbilt Commodores will win

• Vanderbilt has won four of its last five home games against non-conference opponents.
• Virginia Tech has lost four of its last five road openers.
• Virginia Tech has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five road openers.

Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt Prediction

I’m leaning towards the over here. There’s a lot of continuity for the Hokies offensively and while Drones needs to improve on his accuracy, he was still efficient in terms of putting points on the board in 2024, and the Hokies have gotten healthy as well which was an issue at times last year and the Hokies should score plenty against the Commodores.

That being said, I think there should be some optimism about Diego Pavia as he garnered a lot of attention late on in the year with the Aggies, and the Commodores could have a bit of punch as well offensively. I think that there could be some fireworks here, even if one side were to pull away. Give me the over here.