The Virginia Tech Hokies take on the Boston College Eagles on August 31, 2019, at the Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Virginia Tech is coming off a 6-7 season in 2018 where they were 4-4 in the ACC and lost 31-35 to Cincinnati in the Military Bowl. The transition from Frank Beamer to Justin Fuente looked good in the first two seasons before a disappointing one the last time out. The Hokies suffered their first losing season since 1992 and right now there is pressure to deliver not just for Fuente but for the program as well. Ryan Willis turned in a relatively successful season with 24 TDs and 2,716 yards. He will need to deliver to take Fuente off the hot seat.
Boston College had a 7-5 2018 season which saw them go 4-4 in ACC competition. New Offensive Coordinator Mike Bajakian has been brought in to increase the production of this unit. Quarterback Anthony Brown returns for his third season but the Eagles need more than running back AJ Dillon to score the points. There is depth behind Dillon and that makes the running game this team’s best offensive weapon. However, with three out of its top four targets gone, the wide receiving corps is going to be their problem this year. There are new pieces but it’s hard to fit them in right away.
Who Wins?
Virginia Tech is 2-5 SU in their last seven games played and the Hokies are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games played on the road. Boston College is 5-2 SU in their last seven games at home but is 3-8 SU in their last 11 head to head games against Virginia Tech and 1-4 SU in their last four home games against the Hokies.
The Eagles were terrible in controlling the clock last season. Both these teams still have plenty of holes to fill and both have new pieces that need to fit in right away. Boston College’s passing game won’t be on point at this stage of the season and the Virginia Tech defense is going to take over. It’s not going to be a pretty sight but the Hokies will get a win, nevertheless. Prediction: Virginia Tech
Other Bets To Make
The Hokies are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games played and they are 1-5 ATS in their last six games against the Atlantic Coast Conference. Virginia Tech is also 4-8 ATS in their last 12 week 1 game played. Boston College is 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 games played and 2-5 ATS in their last seven games played in August. The Eagles are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 games played on a Saturday. Head to head, Boston College is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech
-3.5 (-110)
Boston College
+3.5 (-110)
Odds were taken from Mybookie.ag as of 8/26/19
Virginia Tech is on the road against a Boston College team that has its number when it comes to the spread. However, I think the Hokies will win by more than a field goal here. Boston College won’t be able to score much and won’t be able to stop that Virginia Tech offense from putting points on the board. Prediction: Virginia Tech
The total has gone over in four out of the last five games played by Virginia Tech. The over is also 4-1 in the Hokies’ last five games like football betting favorites. The total has gone under in four out of the last five games played by Boston College. The under is 4-1 in the Eagles’ last five games against the Atlantic Coast Conference and under in five out of their last six week 1 game played. Head to head, the under is 3-1 in their last four meetings.
Virginia Tech
O 57 -110
Boston College
U 57 -110
Odds were taken from Mybookie.ag as of 8/26/19
These teams have averaged just over 47 points head to head in their last 10 games played and 44 points per game in their last three meetings. If the Eagles’ passing game won’t be pinpoint in this one, it’s not going over 57 points. Prediction: Under 57