Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Richmond Spiders Odds & Game Pick (2021)

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Both these teams are coming off close losses, but Virginia Tech has been off to a great start this year. Virginia Tech has started 2-1 with a win against a #10 North Carolina team. Their loss came off a close game to a good West Virginia team at West Virginia. Richmond is hard to read. Their quality of schedule has been mediocre. Virginia Tech will be the first good team they play. These teams lean heavily on their defense to win games, which is good for bettors to consider when picking this Week 4 matchup.

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Details

• Opening Lines: Virginia Tech -34.5. Total 43.5
• Last Game: November 8th, 1986, Virginia Tech (17-10)
• Winning Streak: Virginia Tech (1)
• Series Record: Virginia Tech 37-10 Richmond
• The total has gone under in the last 5 Virginia Tech games
• Virginia Tech is 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 games

Overview

The Virginia Tech defense has been phenomenal, allowing only 15 points per game through three games, including one against North Carolina. North Carolina is averaging 59 points per game if you take away the Virginia Tech game. The big reason for this is because Virginia Tech has done a great job at taking the ball away from opposing offenses, with six turnovers in three games. Teams have been able to move the ball on Virginia Tech, but their ability to create turnovers has elevated their defense this year. 

The offense for Virginia Tech has been good. They proved they can score on a tough defense when they played West Virginia, but their lack of scoring against UNC is concerning. Their quarterback Braxton Burmeister has been safe with the football. Virginia Tech does have good wide receivers with Tre Turner, and they spread out RB Raheem Blackshear to get him involved in the passing game. They split the backfield time between Blackshear and Jalen Holston. Both running backs have been good this year, which will allow Virginia Tech to control the clock throughout this game.

Richmond is tough to read through their first three games. Their defense is only giving up 14 points per game, and their offense is scoring 32 points per game. The issue is the quality of the teams they are playing. They have played Lehigh and Howard. Those teams haven't won a game yet this year. The other game they played was against Villanova, who played Lehigh and Bucknell. Richmond has a good offense with QB Joe Mancuso leading the way, but he is turnover-prone, throwing ten picks in each of the last two seasons and already two this year. The Virginia Tech defense thrives off turnovers. That could be the game-changer.

Bottom Line

Virginia Tech will win this game, but covering 35.5 is something they have not done all year. They haven't scored over 35 points yet, and it is hard to bet on things that haven't happened. Virginia Tech and Richmond have been playing through their defense this year. This game should be low-scoring. With Virginia Tech's running backs, once they get up, they will have the ability to control the clock. Virginia Tech has a bye week and then Notre Dame. Any additional rest for their starters will be important going into the bye week. Trust the defense for these teams and take Richmond to cover. 

Pick: Richmond +35.5 (-110)

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