Both teams are coming off a week’s rest as the Syracuse Orange prepare to face the Virginia Tech Hokies in an ACC matchup on Thursday night. However, their recent performances seem to be pulling them in different directions. The Hokies, with a 3-4 record, have managed to secure two victories in their last three games, with their only conference loss against No. 4 Florida State. On the other hand, the Orange, holding a 4-3 record, have hit a rough patch since the start of ACC play, suffering three consecutive losses. These defeats came at the hands of perennial ACC powerhouses Clemson, North Carolina, and FSU. Interestingly, Syracuse has had the upper hand in recent matchups between these teams, winning four of the past five dating back to 2001.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, and according to the SportsLine consensus, the Hokies are favored by 3 points, with an over/under set at 47.5 for the total points scored. Before making your predictions for Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse, it’s advisable to consult the college football insights and betting recommendations from SportsLine’s reliable computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model employs a simulation approach, running through 10,000 iterations for each FBS college football game. Since its inception, it has generated an impressive profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players who followed its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Those who have followed its guidance have reaped substantial rewards.
Now, the model has turned its attention to the Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech matchup and has just unveiled its picks and predictions. You can find the model’s college football picks on SportsLine. Here are some noteworthy college football odds and trends for the Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse game: (Please provide the specific odds and trends for the game, as the original article did not include them.)
Why Virginia Tech can cover
Virginia Tech has been a force to be reckoned with at Lane Stadium this season, boasting a 3-1 record on their home turf. When they take on the Syracuse Orange, they’re expected to pose challenges for their opponents on both offense and defense. Notably, Syracuse’s pass defense has struggled this season, ranking as the worst in the ACC and allowing an average of 256 passing yards per game. In contrast, Virginia Tech’s defense has been more solid, conceding 41 fewer yards overall per game, with a total of 342 yards compared to Syracuse’s 381 yards.
The Hokies have seen a promising performance from their sophomore quarterback, Kyron Drones, who took over from Grant Wells. In his five games as the starter, Drones has thrown six touchdown passes and just one interception, which occurred in his first start. In the last game, a 30-13 victory against Wake Forest, Drones threw for an impressive 321 yards. What’s more, he poses a dual threat to Syracuse’s defense with his mobility, and he’s complemented by the versatile running back Bhayshul Tuten. Drones has rushed for 344 yards and has accounted for 10 touchdowns, while Tuten has amassed 566 total yards and scored five touchdowns. The Hokies’ receiving corps is also potent, with Jaylin Lane having caught five touchdown passes and maintaining an impressive 16.2 yards per catch average.
On the defensive side, Antwaun Powell-Ryland has been a standout player for Virginia Tech, recording seven sacks, which ranks him tied for fifth in the FBS. The Hokies, as a team, have collectively notched 22 sacks, putting them in a tie for sixth place in this category.
All these factors contribute to making the Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse matchup an interesting one to watch, and you can explore more insights to decide which team to pick for this game.