Boise State Virginia Tech Betting – Broncos Pad Resume With Win Over Reloading Hokies
Online betting players are usually treated to one or two big non-conference games early in the year, and they get a doozy on Labor Day, when Boise State and Virginia Tech clash in a battle of top-10 teams. The Broncos are looking to crash the BCS title party, and a win over the ACC powers will get them on their way.
- What: NCAA football betting
- When: Monday, September 6th, 8:00 PM ET
- Where: FedEx Field, Landover, MD
- Pick: Boise State -3
What’s On The Line
Quite simply, this is the biggest non-conference game of the season. The No.3 Broncos have a great shot to go undefeated this season if they can get past the No.10 Hokies, who have played (and lost) to the eventual BCS champion in three of the last six years. This is a “neutral-site” affair, but this is the second time the Hokies have hosted a game here, losing to USC 24-13 in 2004. The Broncos finished last year with a 17-10 win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, while the Hokies trounced Tennessee 37-14 in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
Offensive Matchups: Boise State Virginia Tech Betting
The Broncos have a staggering 10 starters back on a group that scored the most points in the country last year, and quarterback Kellen Moore is earning attention as a Heisman candidate. Moore has plenty of help around him, including running back Jeremy Avery and his top six receivers from 2009, but there are a couple of problems up front. Of course, a lot of people think the Broncos rack up these numbers because they play in the WAC (they’ll move to the Mountain West next year), so this is an opportunity to show they can play with the big boys.
The Hokies return seven players back on offense, led by quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who is third in the country in wins among active pivots (TCU’s Andy Dalton and Moore are first and second, respectively). Turner has improved each year as a passing quarterback, but he still possesses the legs to beat you. Ryan Williams and Darren Evans join him in the backfield, and the Hokies could improve on their 14th-place ranking in rushing. Jarrett Boykin is one of the most underrated receivers in the country. Virginia Tech’s offense is actually the strength of their team in 2010, which is different.
Betting Edge: Draw
Defensive Matchups: Boise State Virginia Tech Betting
Boise State’s defense finished 14th in the NCAA, and they have 10 starters back from last year, yet another reason their NCAA football are so good. Replacing cornerback Kyle Wilson will be a big task, but coordinator Justin Wilcox left for Tennessee. The Broncos should be fine with Pete Kwiatkowski, who was the line coach, and Bob Gregory returned from California. Gregory was coordinator at Boise State in the early part of the decade, and head coach Chris Petersen is also a great defensive mind. End Ryan Winterswyk is a rush terror, while Shea McClellin is improving on the other side. The secondary is experienced and they’ll have to play as a unit to replace Wilson.
Virginia Tech has just three starters back, and they have to find a partner for cornerback Rashad Carmichael, who had six picks last year. That may mean a bigger role for rover Davon Morgan. Linebacker Barquell Rivers is hurt and may not be ready for this game, which means that freshman Chase Williams (his father, Gregg, is the coordinator for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints) may get an early chance. The Hokies also have to replace linebacker Nekos Brown and end Jason Worilds, their best pass rushers, and there’s a lot of pressure on end Steven Friday in that respect.
Betting Edge: Boise State
Notable Injuries: Boise State Virginia Tech Betting
The Broncos don’t have any injuries, but safety Jason Robinson (suspension) will miss the first three games of the year because of legal problems.
Rivers (quadriceps) was hurt in the spring and is a bit behind in his rehab. This is an injury that can come back easily, and the Hokies have to be careful with the junior.
Betting Edge: Boise State
Outlook and Pick: Boise State Virginia Tech Betting
NCAA football betting odds have the Broncos as a 3-point favorite in your sportsbook, and we think they have the experience to go on and claim one of the biggest wins in their history. The Hokies have a lot of questions to answer on defense and special teams, two things that coach Frank Beamer has prided his teams on in his time in Blacksburg. The Broncos have their own questions, but most of the team has been together for a while, and as for the coordinator change, it won’t be a big deal. Take the experience of Boise State in your sports betting book.
Blake’s Pick: Boise State
