Legal sportsbooks favor the Florida State Seminoles by 6.5 points over the Virginia Tech Hokies. Which stands to reason. VT had one of the best defenses in the country, including Brandon Facyson, Greg Stroman, Adonis Alexander, Terrell Edmunds, and Mook Reynolds. But that was last season. Now all they have Reggie Floyd. It’s like in Only The Brave when all the firefighters were burnt to a crisp and only Miles Teller was left. “I think it’s kind of dawned on him that he is, I guess for lack of a better term, the veteran back there,” Hokies head coach Justin Fuente said. “I think he’s feeling his way through that role. I think it’s been an evolution for him through the past calendar year.” FSU’s lightning-fast offense could have a field day with junior Jovonn Quillen, sophomore Bryce Watts, redshirt freshman Caleb Farley and true freshmen Jermaine Waller.
Betting Virginia Tech
The Hokies are not worried about the touchdown-and-a-half spread. Most of VT’s defensive players may still be wet behind the ear. However, defensive coordinator Bud Foster more than makes up for that with 32 years of experience. “As long as Bud Foster is in Blacksburg, I think we’re going to be just fine,” senior defensive tackle Ricky Walker said. “We have Coach Foster. They’re going to be fine,” sophomore quarterback Josh Jackson added. “They’re going to gel in camp. They’re going to get ready. He’s going to put his guys where he wants ’em and it’s probably going to work out pretty well.”
Virginia Tech also got a vote of confidence at the preseason ACC media balloting. Actually, make that 16 first place votes. The Hokies were picked to finished second in the ACC Coastal Division. This despite their inexperienced secondary. As well as their offensive issues, which include losing their top wide receiver, top offensive lineman, and most experienced running back.
Betting Florida State
The Seminoles’ hopes for last season were torn like the patellar tendon in starting QB Deondre Francois’s left knee. However, broken hopes can be mended and tendons can be healed. “I think everything about last year shocked me when it came to Florida State. But that’s football and that’s life and that’s behind us now,” new head coach Willie Taggart said at the ACC Kickoff. “It’s on us now to change those things because we know we can be a lot better than what we did last year. … I’m looking forward to our guys changing that narrative.”
In addition to a good-as-new Francois, James Blackman gained precious experience as a starter last year. Either QB will have plenty of guys to whom to throw the ball. Including Nyqwan Murray, Keith Gavin, D.J. Matthews, Tamorrion Terry, Tre’ McKitty, Naseir Upshur and Alex Marshall. Also, Cam Akers, Jacques Patrick, Amir Rasul and Khalan Laborn will be in charge of the ground attack.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Florida State Seminoles Betting Information
- Date: September 3
- Time: 8:00 pm ET
- Venue: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Best online sportsbooks odds from MyBookie.ag:
- VIRGINIA TECH +6½ (-110) O 50 (-110)
- FLORIDA STATE -6½ (-110) U 50 (-110)
Legal sportsbooks betting trends
- The Hokies are 2-3 SU in their last five games.
- The Hokies are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
- The total has gone under in eight of the Hokies’ last 10 games.
- The Seminoles are 5-1 SU in their last six games.
- The Seminoles are 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games.
- The total has gone over in five of the Seminoles last eight games.
FREE pick: The Sems lost quite a few experienced defensive players. Which is to say their secondary is not without woes of its own. Thus, FSU’s offensive prowess will be the deciding factor in winning and covering.