Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Saturday, 9/29/12, 3:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN3
Opening Point Spread: Virginia Tech -6
Current Betting Line: Virginia Tech -7
Opening Total: 44.5
Current Total: 45
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Virginia Tech has won five of the nine meetings in this series, including a 20-7 win as 2.5-point neutral-site underdogs in the 2009 Orange Bowl. The Hokies bounced back from their first loss of the season, capturing a 37-0 blowout win over the Bowling Green Falcons. Quarterback Logan Thomas had a season-high 65 rushing yards on a team-high 15 carries. “I just run to win,” commented Thomas after the game. “I want to get a spark going for our team.” He has taken a beating in the pocket, getting sacked eight times this season after the offensive line allowed 22 all of last year. Virginia Tech is 0-4 ATS after a win by 35 or more points the last two-plus seasons.
The Hokies are 10-20 under head coach Frank Beamer when playing inside current NFL stadiums, including an 0-2 mark at FedExField. Virginia Tech ranks ninth nationally in pass defense, allowing just 143.5 yards per game, while the offense has scored 10 touchdowns on 14 trips inside the red zone. Sophomore Kyshoen Jarrett has proven to be a major weapon on special teams, leading all of college football in averaging 35.4 yards per punt return.
Cincinnati is coming off its second bye week in the first four weeks of the season, as head coach Butch Jones used the time to focus on ball security, with the team committing six turnovers in a lethargic 23-7 win over Delaware State on Sept. 15. The Bearcats are going through some expected growing pains with Munchie Legaux under center, but he’s also extremely talented. Dating back to last season, the program has won its last five games. Cincinnati is 0-2 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points since 2010, while failing to cover seven of 10 when getting points in that span overall.
The Bearcats have been able to get after the quarterback this year, tallying eight sacks in their first two games. It’s not a big surprise in the locker room, considering the defense ranked second nationally in that category last year. Legaux can’t afford to commit four turnovers of his own like he did last time out in this contest.
Sports bettors will likely play the total in this affair, with the UNDER going 5-2 in the Hokies last seven games following a bye week, while the Bearcats have fallen short of the number in four consecutive games in that situation.
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