Virginia Tech Visit Rival Virginia as 2.5-Point Road Favorites; Hokies 5-0 ATS in Last Five Games
- Virginia Tech are 2.5-point favorites against the Virginia in a Black Friday ACC Coastal Division showdown in Charlottesville
- The Hokies have won 15 straight Commonwealth Cup games, the longest streak in series history
- Friday’s winner will play defending national champion Clemson in the ACC Championship game
The Virginia Tech Hokies (8-3, 5-2 ACC) are 2.5-point favorites against the Virginia Cavaliers (8-3, 5-2 ACC) in a Black Friday ACC Coastal Division showdown in Charlottesville, with kickoff set for noon ET.
In 15 straight Commonwealth Cup games the Hokies have emerged the winner, the longest streak in series history. The winner of Friday’s game will play defending national champion Clemson in the ACC Championship game on December 7th.
Let’s take a look at the rivalry game and make a prediction.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs Virginia Cavaliers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech | -136 | -2.5 (-110) | O 48.0 (-105) |
| Virginia | +116 | +2.5 (-110) | U 48.0 (-115) |
Odds taken Nov. 26th.
Upon further review of the Virginia Tech vs Virginia odds, there’s one bet that stands out to me as the best value, but let’s take a look at some key factors.
The Streak … and the Streak
Tech has straight up dominated UVA this century. The Cavs’ last victory against their in-state rival came in 2003! In fact, the Hokies’ winning streak of 15 is the longest in series history, which dates back to 1895.
The Hokies are also 5-0 against the spread in their last five outings. That recent run includes back-to-back shutouts over Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh by a combined score of 73-0, with a defense that’s found new life in the closing act of longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s career.
It appears the Hokies are rolling into C’ville ready to roll the Cavaliers yet again.
Not So Fast
But as Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend – let’s consider recent history in the rivalry. While Bronco Mendenhall has yet to beat Virginia Tech, he’s getting closer each year. Following a 52-10 shellacking in his maiden voyage against Va Tech in 2016, the former BYU head coach saw the Cavs lose just 10-0 in 2017 and go down 34-31 in overtime last season.
The trend seems to be pointing in the home team’s favor this year.
The biggest reason I like Virginia to not only finish its home schedule undefeated – but to win straight up and snap the streak(s) is quarterback Bryce Perkins. The Arizona native is nothing short of dazzling.
Perkins is one of only two players in college football (the other being Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts) to pass for at least 2,625 yards and run for at least 520 yards. He’s tossed 15 touchdowns and run for nine more. In short, he’s a difference maker, as Bud Foster noted of Perkins, “He’s not a one-man show. But he runs the show. He reminds me a little bit of Donovan McNabb.”
Bryce Perkins is a spark for the Hoos ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/okUS16AUWa
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 3, 2019
Considering McNabb gave plenty of defensive coaches headaches once upon a time in his Syracuse and Eagles days, that’s pretty high praise. And that’s why I like the Hoos Friday. When you take into account Perkins’ ability to do it all and Mendenhall’s ability to motivate, I love the home dog in this spot. Plus, it’s simply their time.
Pick: Virginia ML at +116
Blair Johnson is a veteran journalist and seasoned sports content creator. He has been writing and producing content as long as he can remember, with such familiar names as CNN, NFL Media and Yahoo. Blair currently lives and works in the greater Los Angeles area.
