Posted on 10/25/2007 4:51:40 PM

NCAA Football Free Picks – Boston College vs. Virginia Tech

By Tim Furious

Preview

Thursday night has the recipe for fireworks because of Virginia Tech’s swarming defense and Matt Ryan in prime time. This defense will have to have touchdowns in mind sine Brandon Ore is having a lackluster season, and their top quarterback is nursing injuries. Can the 4-2 ATS Eagles reward their betting investors with an underdog victory? Or will Tech’s defense suffocate Matt Ryan?

#2 Boston College Eagles (7-0) vs. #8 Virginia Tech Hokies (6-1)

Thursday, October 25th --- Lane Stadium, Blacksburg --- 7:30pm EST

Opening college football line: Virginia Tech -3.5 (44)

Boston College Offense vs. Virginia Tech Defense

The Tech defense, as stated, has practiced turning giveaways in to points on the scoreboard. This, complemented with the fact that they are the eighth best defense in the nation, makes them a formidable force of nature. They allow 16.0 points per game and typically hold teams to 235.8 total yards when playing at home.

Matt Ryan has been stealing the attention from his capable set of running-backs because of his Heisman year, but Andre Callender and L.V. Whiteworth deserve some of the spotlight. Problem is, it won’t be in this game. The Hokies stuff runners to 2.8 yards per carry and their fierce front-seven are tenacious in pursuit.

This leaves the game in the very capable hands of Matt Ryan. Ryan’s offensive line can not be intimidated by this fast and vicious pass rush. Given time, Ryan can pick this defense apart. Cause for concern for the betting investor is that Virginia Tech had the bye week to study Matt Ryan right down to the last spec. Boston College is averaging 34.6 points per game, but this will be the toughest defense they will be facing this year.

Virginia Tech Offense vs. Boston College Defense

The Eagles rush defense holds opponents to 46.4 yards on the ground, but their secondary gives up a whopping 277.1 yards per game. Brandon Ore, the starting tailback for the Hokies, has not been able to rev the engine this season and the Virginia Tech offense has suffered because of it. Boston College will be able to contain the north-south runner with ease.

Starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor badly sprained his ankle against Duke, so he will be handing the ball over to Sean Glennon. Taylor is a bigger threat because of his mobility, but Glennon is a much better passer. Glennon lost the starting job because he does not handle pressure very well. And the pressure isn’t higher in the regular season than under the burning heat of prime time Thursdays.

Mistakes will cost this Virginia Tech offense, and will force their defense on to the field far too often. Boston College’s defense is not as elite as they would like it to be, but Virginia Tech’s offense has simply been morbid this season.

NCAA Football Betting Trends

-Boston College is 2-8 SU in its last 10 playing Virginia Tech

-Boston College is 4-1 ATS in their last five road games at Virginia Tech

-Virginia Tech is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games when playing Boston College

-Virginia Tech is 2-4 ATS this season

Final Verdict

It’s too bad that this matchup couldn’t be the barn burner that the schedule makers, and oddsmakers, were hoping for. Matt Ryan is smart enough to make the proper reads to dissect the Hokies secondary, which will be stuck in man-to-man coverage too often while Foster sends a seven-man pass rush to try and rattle Ryan.

Bet on Boston College in the upset despite Virginia Tech’s inspired play at home. The fact that the Eagles have played so poorly on the road against Tech in the past should not scare their betting faithful this time around. This Eagles team is far better than the ones we have seen in previous seasons, and this Virginia Tech offense is much worse.

NCAA Football Free Pick: Boston College 24 Virginia Tech 17

NCAA football betting has started, and BetUS sportsbook already has tons of college football Futures betting available for those of us who can't wait. Bet on the Heisman winner, Conference and Divisional winners and, of course, the 2008 BCS National Championship winner. Bet NCAA Football Futures in our sportsbook today in the Future / props section!