The Virginia Tech Hokies (2-7, 3-6 ATS, 3-6 O/U) will take on the Duke Blue Devils (6-3, 5-4 ATS, 4-4-1 O/U) in an ACC battle on Saturday afternoon. The Hokies collected a home win against Georgia Tech last time out. The Blue Devils posted a big road win against Boston College last week. Virginia Tech recorded a 48-17 home win against Duke last season.
The Virginia Tech Hokies are eying just their third win of the season. It’s been a rebuilding season for a young Virginia Tech squad that is struggling to score points with any consistency. They have been competitive recently, covering in defeats against Miami Florida and NC State, but were labeled four-point favorites in a narrow 28-27 home loss to Georgia Tech last week to plummet to 1-5 in ACC play. The Hokies have covered the spread in two out of their last three games.
Grant Wells has not been able to find a groove this season. The junior QB has only reached 300 yards once all season and only has 1846 passing yards accompanied by an 8:8 TD to INT ratio. He has only connected on 59% of his pass attempts.
The Hokies' rushing offense is also below average. Keshawn King is capable of big yards. The junior RB had 79 rushing yards last week and has accrued 338 rushing yards on a strong average of 5.9 yards per rush. Kaleb Smith is relied upon heavily. The senior WR has brought in at least three receptions in all but one game and leads the squad with 647 receiving yards. The Virginia Tech offense has scored at least 21 points in three out of their last four games which is slightly above their season average.
The longest play of the season ??@GrantWells__ ?? @kaleb11smith
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— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) October 28, 2022
The Hokies' defense is solid. The unit held NC State to 22 points but had some trouble last week, surrendering 463 total yards against Georgia Tech. The pass defense stands 73rd while the rush defense is a strength, landing 48th. Virginia Tech is averaging only 20.2 points on the season, pegging them 113th. They are holding foes to 25.1 points, positioning them 58th.