Va Tech-Wake
Time: Sat, 1:30 PM CST
Spread: VAT -15
Despite one of the most injured rosters in college football, the Virginia Tech Hokies are still limping along at 5-5 with a 2-4 ACC record. Facing win-less (0-6) Wake Forest should give the Hokies a fighting chance at a .500 conference record.
The Hokies will be 15-point favorites in its matchup this week according to college football odds at Bovada.
Virginia Tech’s defense has kept it in games. The Hokies allow just 21.9 points per game this year, which is good considering how mediocre the offensive production has been. VT ranks 63rd in the NCAA in passing yardage (232.4) and 96th in rushing (140.4).
Last week was impressive for VT, though. The Hokies notched a 17-16 victory over Duke, only its second matchup against an AP ranked opponent this season. The win snapped a three-game losing streak that saw Virginia Tech drop games to conference foes, Pitt, Miami and Boston College.
QB Michael Brewer has thrown for 2,237 yards this season at a 61 percent clip. His miscues have been costly, though. Brewer’s thrown 12 INTs, to 15 TDs. In the backfield, the Hokies get good, but largely unimpressive, production from Marshawn Williams. He’s rushed for 475 yards on the season, but is good for only 3.8 yards per carry.
No. 2 back Shai McKenzie has had more success, but in less carries (53 attempts at 5.1 yards per). McKenzie is out the rest of the season with a torn ACL, one of many costly injuries for Tech.
WRs Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges have combined for nearly 1,000 yards and 12 TDs for the Hokies.
Wake hasn’t won since its 24-21 victory over Army on Sept. 20. Last week, the Demon Deacons fell 42-13 to NC State, and ending the season against a formerly ranked Duke Blue Devils team means a likely 8-game skid to end the season.
QB John Wolford hasn’t been worth much. He’s thrown more INTs (13) than TDs (9), while managing just 5.44 yards per reception and posting a 104.4 passer rating. The Demon Deacons top two running backs have both failed to score a TD this season, while accounting for only about 360 yards between them. No. 3 back Isaiah Robinson has scored four of Wake’s four TDs, but averages just 1.7 yards per carry as a third down and red zone option.
