The Virginia Tech Hokies have another tough game tonight when they visit the East Carolina Pirates. BroburySports.com has the preview.
Va. Tech is a 13-point road favorite at BroburySports with a ‘total’ of 51.5 points. The game will be on ESPN at 7:30 pm ET.
East Carolina beat Virginia Tech in the opening game last year, 27-22 as nine-point dogs. Two years ago, they were 28-point dogs on the road, but kept the game very close at 17-7.
Things aren’t going very smooth for Virginia Tech. They’ve lost their last two games to Georgia Tech and North Carolina, dropping all the way from 4th in the country to 23rd.
The big culprit has been the run defense. They gave up over 300 yards to the potent Georgia Tech running attack, and followed it up with 181 more against North Carolina. The North Carolina result was the more surprising as it was at home, and Va. Tech was 13-point “chalk.“
The offense, which averaged over 37 PPG in the three prior games, was limited to 20 PPG the last two weeks. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor needs to be more consistent, but it’s hard to get into a rhythm when you average only 16 passes per game.
Virginia Tech is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 Thursday games. They are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games as a road favorite.
East Carolina a dangerous home dog
Besides playing Virginia Tech tough the last two years, East Carolina is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games as a home underdog.
The Pirates are part of the underrated Conference USA, and they lead the East division with a 4-1 record. They are 4-1 straight-up in their last five games and 3-1 ATS in the last four.
Much of the success can be attributed to Dominque Lindsay and a rushing attack that averages almost 150 YPG. They’ll certainly try to attack the Va. Tech run defense given their recent problems. The Pirates will be in trouble if forced to pass often as quarterback Patrick Pinkney throws way too many interceptions.
The East Carolina run defense is ranked 28th in the country and that also matches up
well against Va. Tech’s offense.
Can East Carolina shock Virginia Tech again or at least cover for the third straight year?
Bet on it at BroburySports.com!
