Today's Free Picks for
Posted at 2:00 PM EST. Odds subject to change.
Pinnacle +3 -109 BET365 +3 -110 Sportsinteraction +3 -110 888Sport +3 -110
Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
Streaming: ESPN
Syracuse +3 -109 over Virginia Tech
7:30 PM EST. Let’s see if we have this straight, shall we? This is a 7:30 ESPN game in which a boatload of people are going to parlay or tease onto the NFL game. There are also people that bet on college football only and absolutely refuse to bet on the NFL. Point being, lots of eyes (and money) will be in play here in what looks like a very soft line or appealing line on the host. You see, the Hokies (Va Tech) have won their last two home games by 17 points each, beating both Pitt and Wake Forest. QB Kyron Drones has sparked the offense with a 6-1 ratio and he’s a tough runner too. Meanwhile, Syracuse has lost three straight but that’s understating it because they have actually been steamrolled in three straight by scores of 31-14, 40-7 and 41-3 respectively. Add up the past two and Syracuse has lost by a combined 81-10. Add up the past three and the Orange have lost by a combined 112-24. Who the f**k is not betting Va Tech?
Proceed with caution folks if you were thinking Va Tech. Syracuse has had two weeks to get ready for this one. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that Syracuse won its first four games, including a road win at Purdue, before consecutive lopsided losses to Clemson, #14 North Carolina and #4 Florida State. A third straight loss to ACC frontrunner Florida State means the Syracuse were outclassed but we promise you they are not outclassed in this game. The Orange are generally playing well, especially on defense under guru Rocky Long and with time to catch their breath and prepare for this one, they are a formidable foe and probably the superior team here. The Orange take a massive step down in class when facing Va Tech but on paper, Virginia Tech looks better because of recent results. Has the market forgotten that Va Tech lost to Purdue? Yes. Has the market completely forgotten that Va Tech was blown out by Rutgers? Yes. The Hokies even lost to Marshall for Christ sake but an unsuspecting market is being influenced by recent results.
Syracuse generally handles its business in games it should win, and Va Tech certainly qualifies as a game Syracuse should win. The Hokies have played some respectable defense, but much of that performance can be credited to a schedule full of poor offenses. We should be looking to fade Va Tech whenever reasonable, and some of the conditions we're seeking are met here, especially our buy low and sell high mantra. Syracuse outright is probably a great wager but we’ll play it safer and take the points.
Sherwood
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Our Pick
Syracuse +3 -109 (Risking 2.18 units - To Win: 2.00)