Belk Bowl Picks & Odds: Virginia Tech Favored in Run-Happy Matchup With Kentucky

• Virginia Tech is a postseason mainstay, preserving a bowl streak that extends back to 1993
• Kentucky could win back-to-back bowls for the second time in its 104-year history
• Team analysis and game predictions are featured below

There might be more excitement in this matchup if it was played on hardwood, where both Virginia Tech and Kentucky are off to strong starts. Instead, for the first time ever, these schools with pair up on a football field on New Year’s Eve with the Belk Bowl on the line.

Virginia Tech, which has gone bowling every year since 1993, is at risk of losing its third-straight bowl game for the first time in that stretch. Kentucky has already secured its fourth-straight winning season, but has a chance to win back-to-back bowl games for just the third time in its 104-year history.

Here’s a look at the Kentucky vs. Virginia Tech odds.

Kentucky vs. Virginia Tech Odds

Odds taken Dec. 20

Recent Bowl History

After a five-year bowl drought, Kentucky now finds itself in a bowl game for the fourth year in a row. Last year, the then-No. 14 Wildcats built a hefty lead against No. 12 Penn State and held on for a 27-24 win.

https://twitter.com/KY_Clips/status/1135634980988686336?s=20

It’s worth noting, though, that Kentucky no longer has the same starting quarterback (Terry Wilson suffered a knee injury early on) or running back (Benny Snell moved on to the NFL) from 2018.

Virginia Tech slipped into bowl season with a 6-6 record last year and was not up to task in the Military Bowl, losing 35-31 to Cincinnati on a touchdown run in the final 90 seconds.

CCHS grad Mike Warren: 20 carries, 166 yards rushing & 2 TD’s to lead Cincinnati to a bowl win over Virginia Tech.

Here’s the game-winning TD: pic.twitter.com/YdAtSLoTnc

— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) December 31, 2018

Establishing the Run

This stat almost seems too unbelievable to type: Kentucky has completed only three passes for 21 yards over its past two games! Part of that is the aforementioned injury of Wilson from earlier in the year and part of that is the fact they’ve simply bulldozed their opponents on the ground.

Lynn Bowden Jr., who took over at running back, has 1,235 yards (on an astounding 8.2 yards per carry) and 11 rushing touchdowns, while Asim Rose has 757 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and six touchdowns.

21 carries
205 yards
2 touchdowns

Lynn Bowden Jr. is GOING OFF 😤 pic.twitter.com/82Hjcjnr9S

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 27, 2019

The question, then, is whether or not Virginia Tech can stop it. The Wildcats are averaging 274.8 rushing yards per game, while the Hokies are allowing just 123.4 rushing yards per game.

Both teams are averaging over 40 carries per game as well. That will make for a fascinating matchup.

ATS Analysis

Virginia Tech is only 6-6 against the spread, but they’ve actually managed to cover in five of their past six games. They’re only 2-3 ATS as single-digit favorites, though.

Kentucky managed a 9-3 ATS record this year, including covers in six of their past seven. They are 1-2 ATS as single-digit underdogs.

The most versatile man in college football – The @HornungAward winner: @LynnBowden_1 #BringIt #BBN https://t.co/ruoY1iozpI pic.twitter.com/VtW95bkEKc

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) December 11, 2019

Decision Time

In a bit of a toss-up, where both teams lean on their run game, I like the fact Virginia Tech doesn’t lean all the way. If the Hokies have to pass, they can — especially with their newest starter, Hendon Hooker, who has an 11/2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Considering both teams are run-heavy, and the fact Virginia Tech has been “Under” the total in four of its past five games, I’ll take that as well.

Pick: Virginia Tech, -2.5 (-105); Under 46.5 (-110)