NCAA Football
2012-09-03 - Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: College Football
Monday 3 September 2012 - Kick Off 8pm ET
1am (British Time)
Preview
For many teams, the start of the College Football season can be 'meaningless' in the long term as schools play non-Conference opponents of FCS schools in a bid to get up to speed with their first competitive game in months. However, that won't be the case on Monday night as two ACC Coastal schools meet in the opener that could go a long way to deciding the Division.
The Virginia Tech Hokies finished with their eighth consecutive double-digit win in 2011 and they remain the favourites to once again play in the ACC Championship Game in December. They have a tough opener against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, a school that finished with eight wins last season and who are returning 13 of their starters from 2011.
Virginia Tech have 12 starters coming back this year, but only 3 of those are on the Offense that will have some experience in the Offensive Line while David Wilson was a First Round Draft Choice of the New York Giants in April.
While Wilson will be tough to replace immediately, the Hokies do bring back Logan Thomas at Quarter Back and big things are projected for the potential Heisman Trophy winner. Thomas has the size and arm strength that makes him a certainty to be playing at the NFL level and some have projected him as a top 5 Draft Choice with only Matt Barkley expected to go higher as Quarter Back.
Thomas will have to make some of the receivers look good as the other key positions of the Offense have lost important players. He may also get some help from the fact that a couple of key starters for the Yellow Jackets will be suspended for this game and it was possible to run the ball against Georgia Tech last season which should open his passing lanes.
The extra speed in the receiving areas makes the Hokies a threat to take the ball to the house on every passing down.
Georgia Tech will come into the season continuing to play the triple threat option Offense that worked effectively for much of last season. They return Tevin Washington at Quarter Back as well as their second and third leading rushers from last season.
The Yellow Jackets also have a strong Offensive Line, although there is a lot inexperience at the receiver spot. The battle at the line of scrimmage could be huge as Virginia Tech have one of the better Defensive Lines in College Football and may determine whether the Yellow Jackets can pull the upset.
Virginia Tech's Defense is going to be their strength this season, despite having one of the best Quarter Backs in the country, and they did as well as most teams against the triple option last season (only Miami and Georgia held the Yellow Jackets to less yards per carry). It will be tough to pass on the Hokies, especially for Georgia Tech, and they do seem to have the power up front to get at the Yellow Jacket Offensive Line.
Head to Head
Virginia Tech have won 4 of the last 5 games against Georgia Tech, although they are just 2-3 against the spread in those games.
The Hokies are 3-1 at home against Georgia Tech in recent years, although the Yellow Jackets are 3-1 against the spread in those 4 games.
Other Interesting Trends
Virginia Tech are 43-21 against the spread in their last 64 Conference games.
However, they are 0-5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games at home.
Georgia Tech are 1-5-1 against the spread in their last 7 Conference games.
Prediction
The first week of the College Football season can be tough, but I am looking for Virginia Tech to win this game and cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, Virginia Tech have had all Summer to prepare for the triple option Offense that Georgia Tech run and they have one of the best Defenses in College Football so I expect them to have some success in slowing them down.
Second, I expect Logan Thomas will make enough plays to keep the chains moving for Virginia Tech and lead them to the win and cover.
Third, if the Hokies do get in front and force the Yellow Jackets into passing situations, there is every chance they win the turnover battle and create enough short fields to win this by double-digits.
The Pick :
Virginia Tech 31-21 Georgia Tech
