Virginia Tech Hokies vs Boston College Eagles Picks and Predictions October 17th 2024

ESPN is handling the television coverage for this week eight matchup between the Boston College Eagles and Virginia Tech Hokies. Kick-off is set for 7:30 ET from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. The Hokies come in with a 3-3 record this season, while the Eagles are 4-2. The over/under line is at 49 points, and Virginia Tech is -7 as the home favorite. The game is set for Thursday, October 17th.

Boston College vs. Virginia Tech Key Information

• Teams: Eagles at Hokies
• Where: Lane Stadium Blacksburg
• Date: Thursday, October 17th
• Betting Odds VTECH -262 | BOSCOL +210 O/U 49

The Eagles Can Win If…

Boston College heads into Week 8 against Virginia Tech with a 4-2 record, ranked 55th in our CFB power rankings. They have an 80.9% chance of becoming bowl-eligible but only a 0.3% chance of winning the Atlantic Coast. The Eagles are 2-0 at home and 1-2 on the road this season.

Boston College’s ATS record stands at 2-3, with a +10 average scoring margin. They are 2-1 against the spread on the road but 0-2 at home. As favorites, they are 0-2 ATS, while they’ve gone 2-1 as underdogs.

Their over/under record is 0-5, with games averaging 44.3 points. This week’s line is 49, slightly below their average line of 49.9 points. They’ve had three games with higher lines and two with lower ones.

Heading into week 8, Boston College’s offense ranks 54th in points per game, averaging 27.2. They are 53rd in our offensive power rankings. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos has thrown for 983 yards, completing 67% of his passes, with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 121.

Boston College is 31st in rushing attempts, averaging 162.3 yards per game. Treshaun Ward leads the team with 283 rushing yards, averaging 5 yards per carry. Lewis Bond has 358 receiving yards on 30 catches. The Eagles rank 21st in passer rating and 24th in third-down conversions, converting 46.8% of their attempts.

Boston College’s defense, ranked 16th nationally, has allowed just 17.2 points per game this season. They’ve given up 217 passing yards per game, ranking 86th, and 106.7 rushing yards per game, which is 29th nationally.

In their recent game against Virginia, the Eagles allowed 24 points and 449 total yards, including 301 passing yards and 148 rushing yards.

• Over their last three games, the Boston College Eagles have gone 2-1 straight up. Across these games, they have put together an ATS mark of 0-3 as well as an over-under record of 0-3.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Boston College has a record of 5-5. Across these games, their ATS record was just 4-6, while posting an over-under record of 3-7.

The Hokies Can Win If…

Virginia Tech enters Week 8 against Boston College with a 3-3 record. They are ranked 31st in our power rankings and have a 79.7% chance of becoming bowl-eligible. So far, the Hokies are 1-1 at home and 2-1 on the road this season.

Virginia Tech has been favored in four of their six games, going 3-1 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +7.8 points per game, and they are 3-2 against the spread, covering in all three road games but going 0-2 ATS at home.

The over/under line for this week is 49 points. Virginia Tech’s games have averaged 53.2 points, with their over/under record at 3-2. Their average over/under line this season has been 49.9 points, with an average margin of +3.2 points.

Heading into week 8, Virginia Tech’s offense is averaging 30.5 points per game, placing them 39th nationally. They rank 41st in our offensive power rankings. Their run game is their strength, with 37.8 rushing attempts per game, averaging 182.8 yards on the ground.

Bhayshul Tuten leads the rushing attack with 605 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry. Quarterback Kyron Drones has thrown for 1,155 yards and eight touchdowns, but the Hokies rank 97th in passing yards per game.

Virginia Tech’s defense played a key role in their recent 31-7 win over Stanford, allowing just seven points. They held Stanford to 200 total yards, including 113 rushing yards on 41 attempts and 87 passing yards.

On the season, Virginia Tech ranks 37th nationally in passing yards allowed, giving up 184.2 yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 56.2% of their passes against the Hokies. However, Virginia Tech has struggled against the run, ranking 122nd by allowing 172 rushing yards per game.

• The Virginia Tech Hokies have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. Against the spread, Virginia Tech went 0-3 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• The Virginia Tech Hokies have gone 5-5 over their last ten regular season games. Their record vs the spread sits at 5-5 in these matchups, while posting a 6-4 over-under mark.

The Lean

Our projections have Boston College winning this week eight matchup against Virginia Tech by a score of 31-23. The Eagles are +7 point road underdogs, but we like their chances to not only cover the spread but to win the game outright.

With the over/under line set at 49 points, our combined score prediction of 54 points suggests that taking the over is the best play.

Virginia Tech Ready for Thursday Night Showdown Against Boston College

The Virginia Tech Hokies are back in action after a bye week, hosting the Boston College Eagles in a Thursday night ACC matchup. Both teams are eager to gain momentum as they enter the second half of the season. The Hokies (3-3, 1-1 ACC) are fresh off a dominant win over Stanford, while Boston College (4-2, 1-1 ACC) looks to bounce back after a tough loss to Virginia.

Hokies Riding High After Stanford Blowout

Virginia Tech is riding a wave of confidence after a commanding 31-7 victory over Stanford on October 5. This marked the Hokies’ first-ever regular-season game in California, and they are set to bring that energy into Thursday’s primetime matchup. Head coach Brent Pry knows the stakes are high, especially with a sold-out home crowd and ESPN spotlight.

“Thursday night, a sold-out crowd, ESPN national television, Orange Effect—there’s a lot to be excited about,” Pry said, capturing the hype surrounding the game.

The Hokies put on a show against Stanford, with quarterback Kyron Drones throwing for three touchdowns and running back Bhayshul Tuten adding to his ACC-leading total of nine rushing touchdowns. But it was the defense that shined brightest, notching five sacks from five different players. Freshman linebacker Kaleb Spencer has been a standout, racking up eight tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception in his last two games.

Boston College Looks to Rebound After Tough Loss

Boston College is looking to bounce back after a frustrating 24-14 loss to Virginia. Despite a 14-0 lead early in the game, the Eagles couldn’t hold off Virginia’s 24 unanswered points. Still, Boston College boasts one of the ACC’s top defenses, allowing just 17.2 points per game, the best in the conference.

First-year head coach Bill O’Brien knows his team faces a big challenge in Blacksburg but believes they are ready for it. “You should embrace it. This is what college football is all about,” said O’Brien. “It’s a big, big challenge to go down there, but our guys should be very excited, and I believe they are.”

One of the players to watch on the Eagles’ defense is Donovan Ezeiruaku, who leads the ACC with nine sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. His ability to disrupt the Hokies’ offense will be crucial if Boston College hopes to stay in the game.

Key Players to Watch

1. Thomas Castellanos (Boston College, QB)

Castellanos had two touchdowns in the loss to Virginia but struggled with three turnovers. He’s working on becoming a more balanced passer while keeping his threat as a runner. Facing a Virginia Tech defense that’s tied for the ACC lead in sacks, Castellanos needs to avoid mistakes and handle the pressure.

2. Kaleb Spencer (Virginia Tech, LB)

Spencer has been a breakout star for the Hokies, and his aggressive play will be key in containing Castellanos and stopping Boston College’s offense. Spencer’s ability to make game-changing plays could tilt the game in Virginia Tech’s favor.

3. Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College, DE)

Ezeiruaku has been a force for Boston College, leading the ACC in sacks. He’ll need to be at his best to slow down Virginia Tech’s offense and keep the game close.

Key Matchups

Virginia Tech’s O-Line vs. Boston College’s Pass Rush

The Hokies’ offensive line will have its hands full with Boston College’s defense, particularly Ezeiruaku. If Virginia Tech can protect Kyron Drones, they’ll be able to take advantage of their balanced offense. The line’s ability to hold off the Eagles’ pressure could determine the game’s outcome.

Boston College’s Offense vs. Virginia Tech’s Defense

Virginia Tech’s defense has been relentless, tied for the ACC lead in sacks. Keeping Castellanos upright will be a priority for Boston College. If the Hokies’ defense can continue to bring the pressure, Boston College could struggle to find an offensive rhythm.

Game Outlook

Both teams have a lot riding on this game. Virginia Tech comes in with momentum and the advantage of a packed home crowd. Boston College is looking to rebound after a tough loss and prove they can compete on the road. The Hokies’ balanced offense and aggressive defense give them a slight edge in this matchup.

For Virginia Tech, maintaining their offensive balance between Drones’ passing and Tuten’s rushing will be crucial. On the defensive side, their ability to keep Castellanos under pressure and force turnovers could make the difference.

Boston College, meanwhile, needs to limit Virginia Tech’s offensive production and find ways to generate points while protecting the ball. If Ezeiruaku can disrupt Drones, the Eagles may be able to keep it close.

Prediction: Hokies Edge Out a Close One

Virginia Tech’s home-field advantage and aggressive defense should give them the edge in this hard-fought ACC battle. Expect the Hokies to pull ahead late and seal the win, with their defense proving too much for Boston College to handle.

Final Score: Virginia Tech 27, Boston College 21