Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Picks, Predictions College Football Week 8: Can Jackets Keep Cavaliers Winless?
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets host the Virginia Cavaliers in a Thursday night ACC battle with the two teams headed in different directions. We're breaking down the betting with our Virginia-Georgia Tech picks.
Virginia is the only ACC team without a conference win (0-3) and one of just two in the Coastal division under .500 (2-4). While the Cavaliers have lost three straight games, Georgia Tech won two in a row under interim head coach Brent Key, the Yellow Jackets' first two-game winning streak since November 2018.
Virginia won the last two meetings between these teams, and one possession decided each of the previous four head-to-head contests.
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Here are our top Week 8 Virginia vs. Georgia Tech picks (odds via Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, and DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Game Info
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA
- Weather: 62 degrees, 1% chance of precipitation, 8-mph W wind
Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Odds
Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Odds Analysis
The consensus opening spread of Georgia Tech -3.5 has dropped to -3 as of Thursday afternoon. While the Yellow Jackets have drawn the support of 71% of the bet tickets, those wagers account for just 40% of the handle as the sharp money appears to be on the visitors.
The Over/Under has moved from a consensus opening line of 45.5 to 47 on the afternoon of gameday. Similarly to the spread, the Under has drawn 53% of the tickets but just 32% of the handle.
Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Picks
- Spread: Georgia Tech -3 (-110 via Caesars) ★★★
- Over/Under: Under 47 (-110 via BetMGM) ★★★★
- Game Prop: First half Under 22.5 (-105 via DraftKings) ★★
Virginia vs. Georgia Tech ATS Pick
Georgia Tech -3 (-110) ★★★
Interim head coaches at Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Arizona State have had early success, suggesting a simple midseason culture change can sometimes make all the difference. That couldn't be more true at Georgia Tech, as the Yellow Jackets bought into what Key is selling after moving on from former head coach Geoff Collins.
Though the Yellow Jackets needed overtime to beat Duke in their last matchup, they had the game in hand. Georgia Tech led 20-6 in the fourth quarter before a punt return for a touchdown and 14-play Duke drive tied it late. The Jackets played a clean offensive contest with no turnovers, sign of a well-coached team.
Cavaliers quarterback Brennan Armstrong ranked second in college football passing yards per game and total offense in 2021, and was responsible for the sixth-most Division 1 points. He was also one of PFF's highest-graded Power 5 QBs entering 2022, finishing in the top three in total TDs per game.
However, Virginia has struggled with the league's tenth-ranked total offense (356.8 yards per game) and 13th-ranked scoring offense (17.8 points per game). Don't expect that to change against an improving Yellow Jackets defense.
The home team is 7-0 SU in the last seven meetings, and Georgia Tech has five straight home victories against Virginia, with its previous home loss back in 2008.
Virginia vs. Georgia Tech O/U Pick
Under 47 (-110) ★★★★
Virginia and Georgia Tech are the two worst-scoring AAC offenses, combining for 35.1 PPG. However, the two teams' defensive performances should make for a low-scoring affair. Georgia Tech came off one of its best defensive efforts in years against Duke, holding the Blue Devils to zero or fewer rushing yards on 13.5% of attempts. The Jackets also kept Duke to a 2.7% explosive play rate and 3.8 yards per play.
Georgia Tech hasn't exactly been lighting it up offensively either, ranking 108th in Offensive Success Rate entering the Duke game, and improved just one spot from 87th to 86th in Offensive SP+ after its win over the Blue Devils.
Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Prop Pick
First half Under 22.5 (-105) ★★
The Under is 5-1-1 in the Cavaliers' last seven games overall and has cashed in each of Georgia Tech's last five home games. In addition, the Under cashed in five of Virginia's previous seven contests following a bye week. If Georgia Tech's red zone D steps up like it did against Duke (held to an 11/1% red zone success rate and 25% TD rate), this game will be a defensive struggle in the first 30 minutes.
Where to Bet on Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Picks
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
Virginia-Georgia Tech picks made 10/19/2022 at 8:10 a.m. ET
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