Pumpin For Thursday: Week 10

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech -2.5, Over/Under 41.5

Vegas Algebra says: Georgia Tech 22, Virginia Tech 19.5

Matchups:

When Georgia Tech Runs:

Georgia Tech’s Rushing Offense ranks 13th nationally, Virginia Tech’s Rushing Defense is 9th.

When Georgia Tech Passes:

Georgia Tech’s Passing Offense is 107th, Virginia Tech’s Passing Defense is 50th

When Virginia Tech Runs:

Virginia Tech’s Rushing Offense is 96th, Georgia Tech’s Rushing Defense is 8th

When Virginia Tech Passes:

Virginia Tech’s Passing Offense is 102nd, Georgia Tech’s Passing Defense is 34th

Thoughts:

Don’t think Georgia Tech Defensive Coordinator Jon Tenuta was up late trying to figure out the Virginia Tech offense. This might be a yawner even with Virginia Tech playing its second Thursday game in two weeks. Josh and I are going to the Music City Bowl in December in Nashville, a second tier bowl matching ACC and SEC teams. Josh bought ten upper level tickets for the purpose of scalping but those tickets will only have value if the teams selected to go have well traveling fanbases like Virginia Tech’s and not as much Georgia Tech’s. Therefore a Georgia Tech win tonight, makes the Rambling Wreck an easy take for the Chick Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta and may slip the Hokies and their rabid fanbase to Nashville to hopefully play Tennessee and line Josh’s pockets. Go Jackets!

Suggestion:

Doesn’t look like the Hokies will be able to do anything offensively against Georgia Tech in Atlanta, give the points and the under looks safe here, even as low as it is. But get ready for the understatement of the year…I’ve been wrong before.

Pumpin for Thursday: Week 9

#2 Boston College (+3) at Virginia Tech, Over/Under 42

Vegas Algebra says: Virginia Tech 22.5, Boston College 19.5

Thoughts: I could tell you each teams Run/Pass Offense/Defense stats and what they can and should do but its Thursday night in Blacksburg. Nobody stands a chance, especially a top 5 team that is coming off wins vs. UMass, Bowling Green, Army, and Notre Dame in a year where being a top 5 team in October means nothing.

Suggestion: Lay down the 3 and take Virginia Tech because it is Thursday night in Blacksburg. The forecast calls for rain so a sloppy game is possible take the under. And don't feel bad, nobody in Boston's watching anyway.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #9 Virginia Tech

Yeah, that’s what feels strange about this year than any other. This is the first year I have to root for Virginia Tech. The school that stole Donovan McNabb’s successor (whose name I wish I could remember, if only ESPN would put him on TV every once in a while) and ran up the score on Syracuse only to bolt for the ACC and seemingly decimate the Big East conference. What happened last April changes all that and the Hokies are not just one of the nation’s easy to root for teams in 2007. They are one of the nation’s best.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 11-2 Beat Notre Dame in Gator Bowl

Who they’ll beat: East Carolina (Home), Ohio (Home), William & Mary (Home), North Carolina (Home), Clemson (Road), Duke (Road), Boston College (Home), Florida State (Home), Miami (Home), Virginia (Road), Notre Dame (Jacksonville, FL)

Who’ll beat them: LSU (Road), Georgia Tech (Road)

When they Pass: Wide receivers Josh Morgan and Eddie Royal are talented seniors who should make plays for the Hokies, but they won’t unless newcomer quarterback Sean Glennon can get them and not the opposing team’s secondary the ball. Glennon’s development is THE key to Virginia Tech’s success in 2007 as the other pieces are definitely there.

When they Run: Branden Ore is one of the nation’s best and will win games if Frank Beamer is reluctant to put the game plan on Glennon’s arm. Ore isn’t as flashy as he is productive all the middle. This between the tackles clock eater will frustrate opposing teams late in close games.

When their Opponents Run: Five of the front seven return from a suffocating run defense.

When their Opponents Pass: Defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s blitzing style will disrupt quarterbacks with a pass rush that could actually improve the nations best pass defense in 2007. This is what makes the Hokies early game against LSU so interesting and the key game to possible national championship hopes.

When they Kick: Jud Dunleavy is a new starter but a senior. Beamerball is centered around strong special teams and I can only assume this is an area highly addressed in spring practice and training camp.

When they call Timeout: Beamer and Foster are some of the best minds in college football and have been in Blacksburg for a long time. Someone is at least going to give Foster a look at a head coaching job. These two are part of a strong staff that should lead Virginia Tech to an inspirational season.