The Old Dominion Monarchs take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg, Va. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on The CW.
VA Tech is favored by -18.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1250. The total is set at 49.5 points.
Here’s my Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech prediction and college football pick for Saturday, September 12.
Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech Prediction
- Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech Pick: Virginia Tech -18.5 (Play to -20)
My Virginia Tech vs. Old Dominion best bet is on the Hokies to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and be sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech Odds
| Old Dominion Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+18.5 -106 | 49.5 -112o / -108u | +740 |
| VA Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-18.5 -114 | 49.5 -112o / -108u | -1250 |
- Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech point spread: Virginia Tech -18.5 (-114), Old Dominion +18.5 (-106)
- Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech over/under: 49.5 (-112o / -108u)
- Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech moneyline: Old Dominion +740, Virginia Tech -1250
Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech College Football Preview
Old Dominion Monarchs Betting Preview
Old Dominion comes in off a closer-than-expected 21-point win over Norfolk State last week in a game the offense really struggled to get traction in. ODU had just 16 first downs while registering just one explosive rushing play against the overmatched Spartans.
Quinn Henicle completed just nine passes for 143 yards while doubling as the team’s leading rusher. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as much of the offense ran through him.
Running back Devin Roche had a nice run early but the offensive line struggled to block Norfolk State’s front and allowed a pair of sacks and seven tackles-for-loss.
This offense is going to be up against it on the road against Virginia Tech on Saturday.
The defense played well and controlled the terms against a very weak FCS offense. Norfolk State transfer quarterback Deijay Bailey completed 14 of 20 passes but for just 94 total passing yards.
The ground game ripped off some long runs, but ODU was able to register drive-stopping sacks, and the front was consistently in the backfield all day.
This type of effort will be needed if the offense is unable to get things going, as ODU could turn this game into a defensive slog.
Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Preview
Virginia Tech really made a statement in last week's 73-3 season-opening win over VMI. It was less about the final score and more about how Va Tech looked on the field on both sides of the ball.
Ethan Grunkemeyer threw the ball really well while completing 85% of his passes with a pair of touchdowns. The ground game was effective, and several explosive plays were registered.
The talent upgrades on the offensive line made that unit look much more buttoned up than what we saw last year, and James Franklin did not take his foot off the gas until the win (and the cover of the 55-point spread) was well in hand.
The defense also looked very sharp against the overmatched Keydets, who are migrating back to the triple option offense after going away from it for some time. VMI is in a state of transition, and the team is not very talented, but holding a rushing team to -4 rushing yards on 43 rushing attempts was a great look.
Brent Pry was retained as defensive coordinator, and you can be sure that he is going to be reminding his troops about the butt-kicking VT took last year at the hands of Old Dominion.
There should be no shortage of motivation this week for the Hokies defense.
Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech Pick, Betting Analysis
This line opened with Virginia Tech as a 16.5-point favorite and was quickly bet up to -18.5. The total is set at 49.5. I am going to lay it with Virginia Tech.
This game has turned into quite the spirited rivalry between these two regional foes, and the fact that ODU has won three of the last seven meetings outright has added fuel to the fire. Last year’s embarrassing performance was what sealed Pry’s fate as head coach, triggering the coaching search that landed James Franklin here in Blacksburg, VA.
Virginia Tech has upgraded its roster significantly and we saw the toughness and attitude in both the offensive and defensive lines that was missing last season.
I fully expect this defense to control the terms here against an Old Dominion offense that is not nearly as potent as it was last season. Two of the Monarchs' touchdown drives were set up by short fields against Norfolk State, and the offensive line allowed seven negative plays against a foe that was significantly overmatched.
Quinn Henicle has proven himself as a capable quarterback, but he is a notch below what ODU has seen at the position, and too much of the offense relies on his running ability.
I am not confident in the ODU playmakers on the outside to create enough separation for Henicle to get them the ball, and I worry about the rush offense struggling here. It will be difficult for Old Dominion to stack successful plays together.
Va Tech has a significant upgrade at quarterback, and the offensive line has been upgraded as well. Despite ODU having a tough Sunbelt defense, I am not convinced that the Monarchs are going to create the level of havoc necessary to get Virginia Tech off the field.
I expect Marcellous Hawkins and Jeffrey Overton to run the ball effectively and for the play-action game to produce explosive plays.
We know James Franklin knows the number, and he will seek to cover it when given the chance. ODU embarrassed Virginia Tech last year resulting in the dismissal of former head coach Brent Pry, who is currently back on staff here as the DC.
I would expect a large motivational edge here for VT to win this game with extended margin, and I believe they have the talent to do so. Lay it!
Pick: Virginia Tech -18.5 (Play to -20)
Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech Betting Trends
