Posted on 1/3/2008 4:42:38 PM

Bet on the Orange Bowl – Hokies Heavy on Jayhawks

By Russell Edward

The Virginia Tech Hokies enter tonight’s Orange Bowl as four-point favorites according to the college football betting lines made by the bookies at the BetUS sportsbook and bettors are eating that line up like Oprah Winfrey at an ice cream parlour. You can, too, but now you’ll be paying just a bit more for a payoff as the attached money line has jumped to –120, meaning you have to lay down $120 to win $100. If you’re as sure as many seem about the Hokies covering against the Kansas Jayhawks, that shouldn’t really matter. After all, a cover is a win, right?

Kansas Jayhawks +4 vs. Virginia Tech Hokies –4

The special teams unit of the Hokies is one of the best in the country and they match up very well against the kick return units of Kansas. Unfortunately for Kansas fans, that means the Jayhawks offense is most likely going to have to put together long drives all night, as the Hokies won’t be giving up long returns. On the other hand, we can expect the Hokies to break a return or two, giving them good field position and a good chance to get that extra score needed to not just win this game, but cover the college football betting spread.

Anyone who likes to bet on college bowl games will be somewhat leery of a team that plays more than one quarterback with any kind of regularity. The Hokies, although they implemented a two-QB rotation somewhat later in the 2007 season, seem to have two players at the position who are comfortable with doing what the team needs to win; not taking it personally when they are brought out of the game.

Orange Bowl: Thursday, January 3, 2008 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at 8 p.m. EST

Sean Glennon is the better passer on this team, while Tyrod Taylor is a better runner. The most dangerous aspect of the two is that both are capable of doing the other’s job as well, just not as consistently. Still, defenses can’t assume that a Taylor play is a run, just as they have to be aware that Glennon could use his feet if necessary. Such diversity will make it very tough on the Jayhawks defense to read the next play tonight.

The difference-maker, however, will be whether or not running back Branden Ore can consistently pick up positive yardage and keep drives going. Long drives means the Kansas offense stays on the sidelines and keeping that explosiveness calm and off the field will be key to wining this game and covering for the Hokies.

NCAA football betting is coming to an end, and BetUS sportsbook already has tons of college football Bowl Game odds and NCAA football lines available for those of us who can't wait. Bet on the 2008 BCS National Championship winner. Bet NCAA Football Futures in our sportsbook today in the Future / props section!