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The Virginia Tech Hokies take on the Cal Golden Bears in Berkeley, California, on Saturday, Oct. 10. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.
Virginia Tech is favored by -10 points on the spread with a moneyline of -375. The total is set at 53.5 points.
Here’s my Virginia Tech vs. Cal prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 10.
Virginia Tech vs Cal Prediction
- Virginia Tech vs Cal Pick: Virginia Tech -10
My Cal vs. Virginia Tech best bet is on the Hokies to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Virginia Tech vs Cal Odds
| Virginia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10 -110 | 53.5 -106o / -114u | -375 |
| Cal Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10 -110 | 53.5 -106o / -114u | +290 |
- Virginia Tech vs Cal point spread: Virginia Tech -10 (-110), Cal +10 (-110)
- Virginia Tech vs Cal over/under: 53.5 (-106o / -114u)
- Virginia Tech vs Cal moneyline: Virginia Tech -375, Cal +290
Virginia Tech vs Cal College Football Preview
Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Preview: James Franklin Era Starts Solid
Year one of the James Franklin era in Blacksburg has gotten off to a solid start, but last week was a missed opportunity against Pitt.
Virginia Tech outgained the Panthers 499-295, raced out to a 14-0 lead and still had a chance to win the game on the final play before a field goal sailed wide. It was a controversial miss as the ball sailed over the goalpost, and some believe it should've been called a made kick.
The loss felt like one that usually leaves a coaching staff frustrated rather than discouraged, because the problems were largely self-inflicted and it was against a pretty good Pittsburgh team.
Four turnovers and a handful of other mistakes cost Tech the chance to remain perfect heading into Week 6, when it heads to Berkeley.
Offensively, the Hokies have been one of the more explosive attacks in the ACC. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer has thrown for 1,446 yards, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions, completing nearly three-quarters of his passes.
Even in last week's loss, the Penn State transfer threw for a career-high 434 yards and three touchdowns, looking the part and showing control of the offense.
In this matchup against Cal, the Virginia Tech rushing attack should have plenty of opportunity.
RB Jeffrey Overton Jr. has rushed for 455 yards and four touchdowns already this season, and the Hokies draw a California front that's struggled to stop the run.
To bring that to life statistically, Virginia Tech ranks inside the top 40 nationally in rush success rate, while California sits outside the top 100 in rush success rate allowed.
On the other side of the ball, Virginia Tech has been pretty steady. DC Brent Pry's unit is allowing fewer than 20 points per game while surrendering only 87.4 rushing yards per contest.
DE Aycen Stevens has been one of the ACC's most disruptive pass rushers, with 5.5 sacks while entering this game riding a streak of five consecutive games with at least one solo sack. He'll have ample opportunities to wreak havoc in this matchup, as well.
California Golden Bears Betting Preview: Mounting Injuries Plague Roster
The Tosh Lupoi head coaching era in Berkeley hasn't been as promising. Cal enters this one at 2-3, coming off back-to-back losses to Clemson and UNLV.
This feels like a critical game if the Golden Bears are going to right the ship this season and make a bowl game.
As expected, the offense has been heavily dependent on the passing game.
QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is asked to do a ton in this system, and he's thrown for 1,180 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he also enters the week dealing with a concussion-related situation after exiting the UNLV game following a hard hit.
His status for Saturday remains uncertain, and it would obviously be a major loss for the Golden Bears if he's unavailable.
If he can't go, backup Jackson Brousseau would likely get the start, and he did look decent in relief, throwing for 200 yards and two touchdowns against UNLV.
The injury concerns don't stop at JKS. RB Adam Mohammed, WR Chase Hendricks, safety Kingston Lopa and several other key contributors entered the week listed as questionable and could miss the game.
These aren't depth pieces, but some of the more important players on the roster.
Even when healthy, California has struggled to establish a consistent ground game. The Bears rank near the bottom of the country in virtually every rushing efficiency category, and they're averaging only 95 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, as noted above, California's biggest problem has been stopping the run. The Bears are allowing 187.4 rushing yards per game and have struggled to get opposing offenses off schedule.
Those issues become especially concerning against a Virginia Tech team that wants to run the football and control the tempo.
Forcing a couple of turnovers would go a long way in bailing out this defense against a Virginia Tech offense that has several advantages.
Virginia Tech vs Cal Pick, Betting Analysis
I don't know how you could play Cal in this spot with all of the injury concerns.
Yes, 10 points is a lot to lay down on a cross-country road trip for the Hokies, but I trust Franklin to have his team very motivated for this one after a heartbreaking loss last week.
I expect Tech to come out with its hair on fire in this one, looking to get back in the win column.
I also don't expect a very big turnout from the Cal faithful in this one, which makes me more comfortable backing the visitors.
Virginia Tech will be able to control the game in the trenches and has the healthier roster and the better rushing attack.
Give me the Hokies big in Berkeley.
Pick: Virginia Tech -10
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