Virginia Tech
vs.
Pitt
Thursday Night
College Football
Pick – Analysis
10/16/14
Pitt will host Virginia Tech in this weeks Thursday Night College Football matchup which can be seen on ESPN at 7:30 pm est. 5 Dimes sportsbook opened this Game at -2 in favor of Virginia Tech. Early money took the line up to -3 across the board before setting back in at -2 as of Monday morning. Both teams are 1-1 in the ACC Coastal division making this a pivotal Conference Game.
Pitt started the year 3-0 and had people talking due to a punishing rushing attack. Well, Pitt still runs the ball, but they’ve come up short in 3 consecutive Games losing to Iowa, Akron and Virginia. Their 21st ranked rushing Game goes up against Tech’s 18th ranked rush defense. That matchup will go a long ways towards deciding the outcome as Pitt’s passing Game ranks 117th out of 124 teams. If they can’t run here, it’s Game over. In fact, this Game will be decided by whichever team can run the ball as Pitt ranks 6th in the nation against the pass and figures to limit Virginia Tech thru the air.
Virginia Tech started the year 2-0 and also had people talking after upsetting Ohio State on the road. That was followed by two consecutive losses to East Carolina and Georgia Tech before bouncing back with wins over Western Michigan and North Carolina bringing Tech’s record to 4-2 overall. So, similar starts for these two put them in the same boat.
A year ago it was Virginia Tech on top by a score of 19-9 at home. This Game should be similar in terms of total points scored as they each try and pound the ball. Our Score Prediction model has Tech on top by 2 and Our power ratings have this Game pretty much a toss up. We agree with the line move that brought this Game from +3 to +2 and that’s the way we’d play this Game as well. If the line goes back up to +3, we’d grab Pitt. The revenge, the home field, national tv audience etc. is enough to even out the slight Schedule strength edge the Hokies have. Pitt +3 or better