Virginia Tech vs West Virginia Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can The Hokies Defense Put JT Daniels Under Duress?

Virginia Tech vs West Virginia Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can The Hokies Defense Put JT Daniels Under Duress?

West Virginia and Virginia Tech's football programs will play each other under the lights at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia on Thursday night. They share a border and finished with 6-7 records in 2021. West Virginia won 27-21 in Morgantown a year ago, sending the Hokies' season into a tailspin after entering the game ranked 15th in the nation.

Virginia Tech hired head coach, Brent Pry, while West Virginia received former University of Georgia quarterback J.T. Daniels via transfer portal to upgrade the position. Mistakes were abundant for both teams during the opening weekend of the 2022 season, resulting in losses.

Meanwhile, West Virginia's head coach, Neal Brown, is attempting to save his job with an 18-19 record early in his fourth season. An untimely turnover late in the game at Pitt led to the Mountaineers suffering a devastating loss. A week later, they surrendered 13 points in overtime to a vastly improved Kansas Jayhawks team.

Which team will erase its early deficit to mount a comeback into the AP top 25? Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Thursday's game between West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies.

VIRGINIA TECH VS. WEST VIRGINIA START TIME and WHERE TO WATCH

Date: Thursday, September 22nd

Game time: 7:30 pm ET

Where to Watch: ESPN

VIRGINIA TECH VS. WEST VIRGINIA Odds

Spread: Virginia Tech +1.5 (-110)

Total: Uner 51.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Virginia Tech (+110)

Click Here for Virginia Tech vs West Virginia Odds

VIRGINIA TECH VS. WEST VIRGINIA INJURY REPORT

WEST VIRGINIA

CB Charles Woods (Out - Ankle)

VIRGINIA TECH

RB Malachi Thomas (Questionable - Ankle), DL Josh Fuga (Questionable - Undisclosed) Johnny Garrett (Questionable - Undisclosed), RB Keshawn King (Questionable - Undisclosed), TE Benji Gosnell (Out - Knee), and WR Dallan Wright (Out - Undisclosed).

VIRGINIA TECH VS. WEST VIRGINIA PREDICTION

While there are plenty of similarities between West Virginia and Virginia Tech, only one is dealing with some glaring issues on the defensive unit. The Mountaineers held Towson to seven points in a blowout in Week 3 but the level of competition was vastly inferior compared to the first two games of their schedule.

West Virginia blew leads in consecutive games to begin the season, surrendering 31 points to Pitt's offense and 42 points to Kansas. The late-game meltdowns are concerning, especially against Virginia Tech. The Hokies' defensive unit held it together in 2021 and they've maintained continuity, holding opponents to 37 points across its first three games.

Virginia Tech landed a transfer quarterback from Marshall, Grant Wells, who is only a redshirt sophomore. Wells threw four interceptions in the opening game against Old Dominion, resulting in a 20-17 loss. Since the shocking upset occurred, Wells has played a much cleaner game, throwing three touchdowns and zero interceptions against Boston College and Wofford.

Virginia Tech running back Jalen Holston will be the key to everything for the Hokies offensively. Wells is a solid player when given a clean pocket but the running game sets him up for success, just like it did during a decisive 27-10 win against Boston College in Week 2. The Hokies carried 45 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns, controlling the line of scrimmage and time of possession.

West Virginia can score quickly but its defense is a liability. In 2021, the Mountaineers started hot with an 80-yard touchdown run on its first possession to gain momentum and coast to a 27-21 win. Expect Virginia Tech's linebackers Dax Hollifield and Alan Tisdale to be a dynamic duo behind edge rusher TyJuan Garbutt, who has six tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. The Hokies' secondary will need to hold up against Daniels' lethal precision and big-play arm.

Based on the strengths of each team, I expect Virginia Tech to win the line of scrimmage and put Daniels under frequent duress. Kansas rushed for 200 yards against the Mountaineers a couple of weeks ago, while its rushing attack has been stifled since CJ Donaldson's seven carries for 125 yards against Pitt. I like what Pry has pieced together in Blacksburg despite the opening week loss to Old Dominion. Under the lights in front of a home crowd that wants revenge against a vulnerable West Virginia defense is the perfect scenario to bet Virginia Tech as an outright winner.

VIRGINIA TECH VS. WEST VIRGINIA PICK

• Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies Moneyline (+110) (Bet $100 to win $110)

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