North Carolina @ Virginia Tech Predictions: Bet VA Tech on the Moneyline
A Friday night on the road is not how #10 North Carolina would've chalked up their perfect start to the season and Neil Monnery thinks they might be in a little bit of trouble...
Virginia Tech head into the season looking for their first win over a Top Ten opponent at home since the 2009 campaign. Victory would certainly cool down the incredibly hot seat of Hokies Head Coach Justin Fuente. This will be his sixth-year in the top job in Blacksburg and according to many reports, he was lucky not to be fired in the off-season.
Braxton Burmeister will get the call as the starting QB for VA Tech following the departures of Hendon Hooker and Quincy Patterson II meaning the path to the starting gig was pretty clear. He had a slow 2020 but in his final outing in the Commonwealth Cup, he went 15 of 22 for 212 yards and a score.
His opposite QB isn’t looking to just build upon a good end of the season however. Sam Howell is one of the favorites to walk away with the Heisman Trophy. He completed 68% of his passing attempts last season and is in play to be the first name called at the 2022 NFL Draft.
What is missing from his stellar 2020 campaign is a pair of 1,000 yard rushers to hand the ball off to in the backfield. Michael Carter and Javonte Williams are both set to play on Sunday’s. In addition, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome’s output from the receiving position will need to be replaced.
Despite it being Week 1, this has a pretty big feel to it. Virginia Tech might not be favorites but they need a big result. I know NC are ranked ten and looking at bigger games down the road but a Friday night in Blacksburg against a desperate team is not exactly how you want to start your season.
Spread:
The line has been set at North Carolina-6 and I’m not loving that. I think Sam Howell is a future star but there is a gut feel here that this might be one of the big upsets in Week 1. Give me VA Tech and six points...
Straight-up/Moneyline:
I’ll take the six points on the spread but even more than that - give me VA Tech at +180 on the Moneyline!
Over/Under Points Totals:
I’m expecting a lot of points on Friday night. This could be a real shootout and 64.5 isn’t enough. Give me the over.