Virginia Tech Hokies at North Carolina St Wolfpack, Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Saturday, October 2, 2010, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: ABC or ESPN Gameplan
Opening Line: Virginia Tech -6
Current Line: Virginia Tech -3 1/2
Opening Total: 55
Current Total: 52
Money Line: Virginia Tech -180 / North Carolina St +160
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Despite being 4-0 and the only undefeated team in the ACC, the North Carolina St Wolfpack got no respect from the college football oddsmakers. They opened as a 6 point dog at home to 2-2 Virginia Tech. The line has dropped to 3 1/2 as bettors noticed the same thing I did. Last week the Wolfpack dismantled Georgia Tech 45-28 and Virginia Tech shut out Boston College 19-0. Since 1992, the Hokies have had success as a road favorite (38-19) and on grass (98-71) against the spread. Virginia Tech is 53-33 against the spread in road games during the same time period. The Wolfpack have not done well in October games recently going only 27-44 ATS since 1992.
Virginia Tech has won 2 games in a row in convincing fashion to bring their record back to 500. The Hokie defense is still pretty strong, giving up just over 300 yards a game and just over 20 points a game. They have forced 6 turnovers and 12 sacks. The Hokies have 6 turnovers of their own. The offense is led by dual threat quarterback Tyrod Taylor who leads the team in rushing and passing. He has 947 total yards, 5 touchdowns (all through the air) and two interceptions. The Hokies have 3 other players who have at least 32 carries, 139 yards, and 2 touchdown runs. David Wilson, Darren Evans, and Ryan Williams all contribute to the running game. Receiver Jarrett Boykin is Taylor’s top target, with 11 catches, 243 yards, and 3 touchdown catches. The defense is coming off a shut-out of Boston College, and the Hokies are playing much better on offense as well. The turnovers continue to be problem as Taylor has thrown 2 picks in the last 2 games, something they need to work on if they want to contend for the ACC title as they were predicted to do during the pre-season.
North Carolina St leads in ACC in passing averaging almost 289 yards a game. Quarterback Russell Wilson has 11 passing touchdowns, and another rushing and only 1 interception so far. Wilson spreads the ball around as 5 players have least 11 receptions, led by Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams. The Wolfpack have a balanced attack as they rush for just under 150 yards a game. Both Mustafa Greene and Dean Haynes both have over 200 yards rushing for the season. Green has 4 touchdowns while Haynes has 2 of his own. On defense, the Wolfpack have given up just over 300 total yards a game. They also have 14 sacks and have forced 9 turnovers. NC State has forced a remarkable 14 fumbles and recovered 6 of them. The Wolfpack have sometimes struggled in protecting Wilson as they are giving up alm0st 3 sacks a game.
The Wolfpack are off to their best start since 2002 when Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was leading the Wolfpack offense. They are trying not to get overconfident, though it is difficult as the fans keep approaching the coaches and players and congratulating them on such a fine start to the season. Coach Tom O’Brien has been preaching to the team that they can always get better. A victory against the Hokies would certainly legitimize the team in the eyes of the nation and betting public.
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