Duke at Va Tech

Time: 6 PM CST, Friday (ESPN)

Spread: VAT -2.5

Total: 52

Odds c/o 5dimes

The Virginia Tech Hokies are 2-1 after two straight victories over Old Dominion and Furman. Week 1 it lost 28-35 to Boston College. This week the Hokies are 2.5-point favorites over visiting Duke in a game with an over/under set at 52 total points according to college football oddsmakers at 5dimes. The game will air at 6 PM CST Thursday on ESPN.

VA TECH

Virginia Tech thus far has been a team in favor of the pass: Starting quarterback Ryan Willis has thrown for 739 yards at a 64.6 percent clip with a 7.7 yard-per-catch average. He has seven TDs to his four INTs, and he has been sacked seven times for a total loss of 46 yards. He still boasts a passer rating of 145.0, and his top targets have racked up mass yardage: Four receivers boast 100-yards or better through three games, paced by Tayvion Robinson’s 165 yards on 14 catches.

Hezekiah Grimsley is No. 2 in yardage and has two touchdowns with a team-best 23.8 yards-per-catch. The Hokies have been less successful via the rush where it averages just 3.7 yards-per-carry as a team. Keshawn King and Deshawn McClease are the top two options with nearly 300 total yards between them, but only King has been successful on a per-play basis. He leads the team (min 10 carries) with 6.3 yards-per-attempt, while McClease averages a mere 2.9.

No. 3 back Tre Turner has been good in minimal carries (6) with his 75 yards and one TD. McClease has yet to record a TD, and the only other rushing TDs come from backup QB Ryan Willis and tight end James Mitchell (who has rushed just that one play).

DUKE

The Duke Blue Devils are 2-1 after knocking off non-FBS teams like North Carolina A&T and Middle Tennessee. Week 1 it was trounced by Alabama by a count of 42 to 3.

Last week in the win over Middle Tennessee, Quentin Harris was good and accurate. He threw 24 of 27 for 237 yards and four touchdowns, without a single pick. Harris also led the rushing attack with 107 yards on his 11 carries, including a 65-yard run. Deon Jackson and Mataeo Durant rushed for another 118 yards between them, with Jackson rushing the lone rushing TD for the Devils. Aaron Young was the top receiver with six catches for 106 yards and a pair of TDs. Duke also got touchdown receptions from Jalon Calhoun (6 catches, 46 yards) and Eli Pancol (his only catch).

Harris has really been something of a one-man team, though Jackson has usually been good for more than he was last week. Harris has 203 rushing yards on 34 attempts, while Jackson leads the team in attempts (45) but averages just 3.9 per, good for 177 yards on the season. Durant averages just 3.6 yards-per-carry.

The Blue Devils have been tremendous passing the ball, but in order to prevail against these tougher teams on the schedule, it will need a little more balance on the offensive end of the football. 69 percent of bettors expect Virginia Tech to cover the spread and hand Duke a loss, on Covers predictions.

ATS TRENDS (C/O COVERS):