High Stakes in Blacksburg: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Marshall Thundering Herd Preview
Game Day: Saturday, September 7th Kickoff: 4:30 PM EST Line: Virginia Tech -20.5 Total: 52 (Betonline and MyBookie)
The Hokies’ High Hopes and Early Setback:
Virginia Tech entered the season with ACC championship aspirations, boasting a roster with 11 returning offensive starters and 10 on defense. However, their opening week loss to Vanderbilt, a team that struggled mightily last season, sent shockwaves through Blacksburg.
Falling behind 17-3 early, the Hokies battled back but ultimately lost in overtime, 34-27. The question now looms: Was this a fluke, or are the Hokies not the team many predicted?
Marshall: A Familiar Foe Seeking an Encore:
Marshall, coming off a 6-7 season, stunned Virginia Tech last year with a 24-17 home win. Despite a 4-0 start, the Thundering Herd faltered down the stretch but showed their potential in a high-scoring loss to a strong NC State team.
This year, Marshall returns with 5 starters on both offense and defense, facing the challenge of replacing key contributors.
Data-Driven Predictions:
Our model offers contrasting predictions based on different time frames:
- Full 2023 Season Data: Virginia Tech wins 32-18.
- Last 7 Games of 2023: Virginia Tech wins 40-14.
This discrepancy highlights the diverging trajectories of these teams in the latter half of last season.
The Line and the Value Proposition:
The line has moved significantly in Virginia Tech’s favor, from -17 to -20.5. This suggests bettors believe last week’s loss was an anomaly.
However, we see potential value in backing Marshall at +21 or higher. The Hokies’ need to prove themselves after a disappointing opener, coupled with Marshall’s familiarity with Virginia Tech and their ability to compete against strong opponents, makes the Thundering Herd an intriguing underdog pick.
The Verdict:
This game is a pivotal moment for both teams. Virginia Tech needs to bounce back decisively, while Marshall aims to prove last year’s win was no fluke.
We anticipate a closer contest than the current line suggests. If the line reaches +21, Marshall offers compelling value as an underdog with the potential to keep the game within the spread.
Our Pick: Marshall +21 or more