Virginia Tech vs Louisville Betting Odds: Virginia Tech in the ACC
After Back-To-Back Massive Victories, can Virginia Tech Earn A Huge Upset Over Louisville?
The Louisville Cardinals will take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in a critical ACC matchup on Saturday.
The Cardinals are slotted into the second spot in the ACC behind an undefeated Florida State. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech is only two games away from being bowl-eligible.
While Virginia Tech won’t win the ACC, they’re looking for an extra game during college bowl season. Meanwhile, Louisville can win the ACC and potentially even make the College Football Playoff.
Oddsmakers aren’t expecting a close game on Saturday. Louisville is a 9.5-point favorite at home, with the total sitting at 48.5.
Can the Cardinals avoid another bad upset and earn their 8th win of the season?
Take a look at the Virginia Tech vs Louisville betting odds for Saturday’s ACC matchup.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs Louisville Cardinals 
Day/Time:
Location: Cardinal Stadium
Streaming: ACCN
Virginia Tech vs Louisville Betting Odds
The last time Louisville was at least a touchdown favorite, the Cardinals took a stunning loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers. It’s the only loss the Cardinals have surrendered this season.
While Louisville is 7-1 on the season, the Cardinals have only covered four of the eight games. They’ve gone 4-3-1 against the spread this season. They’ve also hit the Under in four games while hitting the Over in three. They pushed with one total.
On the other hand, Virginia Tech might be 4-4 straight up, but the Hokies are actually 5-3 against the spread this season. However, they’ve gone 0-3 on the road this season.
Still, Virginia Tech has covered against the spread in its last four games. As a one-point favorite, the Hokies beat Wake Forest 30-13, and then as a 2.5-point favorite last week, Virginia Tech earned a 38-10 win over Syracuse.
The Hokies aren’t just covering. But they’re dominating right now.
Virginia Tech and Louisville have only played once before, in 2020. Virginia Tech escaped with a 42-35 win as a 5.5-point favorite. However, both NCAAF teams have changed a lot since then.
Giving The Kicker Some Love!
The Virginia Tech offense was fantastic against Syracuse last weekend. The Hokies added 38 points while accumulating 528 yards of offense. Crazily, 318 yards came on the ground, with another 210 in the air.
But many drives stalled around the red zone. That’s where John Love came in.
John Love’s a redshirt freshman who went 5-for-5 with his field goals against Syracuse. He hit a 43-yard field goal, along with 39, 32, 21, and 24-yard field goals to earn a perfect 5-for-5. He also nailed three extra points, totaling 18 points.
He accounted for nearly half of the Virginia Tech points in that game against Syracuse.
While those kicks weren’t super far, there have been many kickers in college football that have been inconsistent. If he missed some of those kicks, the 38-10 blowout might’ve been much closer.
Let’s give him the credit that he deserves.
What’s Worked For Louisville?
The Cardinals are 7-1 in Jeff Brohm’s first year as head coach with the Louisville Cardinals. He brought in a familiar transfer quarterback and added a couple of considerable playmakers to the offense.
But the Louisville defense has been the key to Louisville’s success this season.
The Cardinals just defeated a Top 25 Duke team, 23-0, allowing no points in the entire game. Granted, Duke’s quarterback, Riley Leonard, was hurt and unable to move as well as he would’ve liked. But the Blue Devils could’ve adjusted with other NCAAF players as they saw fit.
Duke only earned 202 yards in the entire game and went 2-for-12 on third down, with only nine first downs.
Louisville has played in eight opening drives as a defense. In those eight games, Louisville has forced three three-and-outs, two interceptions, two points, and a turnover on downs.
The Cardinals are ready to go on defense to start the game. That’s helped set the tone for the rest of each game.
In the last five seasons, when Louisville has allowed no points in the first quarter, they’ve gone 17-0. The key to the Louisville season has been how the defense has started.
They’ve been electric.
Take a look at the Virginia Tech vs Louisville betting odds for Saturday below.
A Heavy Dosage of Jawhar Jordan
The Cardinals have added nearly 450 yards of offense per game this season. They’ve thrown for almost 265 yards and have rushed for 183.5 yards.
Against Virginia Tech, the run game should be a priority.
The Hokies have allowed 150.6 yards per game on the ground and continue to miss a lot of tackles this NCAAF season. The run defense isn’t close to the pass defense. Virginia Tech has a dominant pass rush and a secondary that has played very well at times.
But they still can’t consistently stop the run.
Louisville’s Jawhar Jordan has already rushed for 824 yards on 110 carries, with ten touchdowns. He’s one of the best running backs in the nation and should provide a spark against the Hokies for Louisville in this game.
Virginia Tech Can’t Bully Louisville
The Virginia Tech Hokies have looked dominant against the lower-tier ACC opponents recently. But that won’t be the case against Louisville.
Virginia Tech has Kyron Drones at quarterback. While he’s been solid for the team, he’s not a quality thrower. He’s only added 102 completions this season, with 1,236 yards. However, he’s done well at limiting turnovers.
But he’s playing behind an offensive line that has struggled throughout the season. Playing against Louisville’s defense will be a massive challenge that Drones probably won’t be up for.
The offense has generated only 380.5 yards per game on offense, with 218.3 yards in the air. With Louisville allowing only 91.4 yards per game on the ground, Virginia Tech will be forced to make plays in the air.
We lack confidence in Virginia Tech’s ability to throw the ball. Therefore, our top college football bets today include Louisville at -9.5 (-115).
If you’re looking for other college football picks odds, the Under 48.5 is appealing. Both defenses are dominant against the pass. It’s just that our NCAAF predictions include Louisville dominating in the run game.
For NCAAF betting news, NCAAF scores and odds, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
