Can Virginia Tech Cover The College Football Game Line?

When evaluating the college football game lines, there’s an interesting matchup brewing at Alumni Stadium this weekend. That’s where the Boston College Eagles will host the Virginia Tech Hokies in the ACC opener for both.

Virginia Tech Hokies (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) at Boston College Eagles (2-0 SU, 0-2 ATS)

Saturday, September 25: 12:00 p.m. ESPN3.com

NCAA Betting Odds:

Virginia Tech: -4
Boston College: +4

So far this season, there probably hasn’t been a more disappointing team in college football than the Virginia Tech Hokies, but they can right their wrongs with a strong ACC season. We all know what happened early in the year, as after a Labor Day loss to Boise State, they followed that up with an embarrassing, crushing loss to I-AA opponent James Madison. Now 1-2, they’re looking to prove that their early season ranking was no fluke.

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For the Hokies to re-establish themselves among the nation’s elite, it’ll take improved play from quarterback Tyrod Taylor. While Taylor was good in the Hokies opener, he’s struggled since, as the senior is completing just 61 percent of his passes this year, and is a big reason that Virginia Tech has just the 93rd ranked passing game in college football. Also, with Taylor electing to run the ball more, it’s limited the effectiveness of back Ryan Williams, who is coming off a 1,000 yard 2009 season. Through a quarter of 2010, Williams has just 139 yards rushing, well behind his expected pace.

As for Boston College, they come into the weekend as an underdog in the college football game lines, and understandably so; they really haven’ t played tough competition this year. They’re 2-0, but wins over Weber State and Kent State have done little to impress anyone so far. This will certainly be a litmus test game for them.

Boston College has seen improved play from quarterback Dave Shinskie this year, although the sophomore still has a long way to go before he’ll be considered in the upper-echelon of the ACC. So far he’s completing an abysmal 59.6 percent of his passes and has thrown four touchdowns and two interceptions. It was also supposed to be a break out year for running back Montell Harris, but the junior has been relatively quiet so far. He’s got 195 yards rushing, and was held to 80 by an average Kent State defense.

When evaluating this college football game line, it really is hard to tell what to make of it. Boston College may be good, but truthfully we don’t know enough about them yet. Because of it, take the Hokies.

The biggest concern for the Eagles has to be the lack of progression by their quarterback Schinskie. He was expected to take a leap up this year, but through two games has done little to prove that he’ll be anything but an average college quarterback. With this Hokies defense in attack mode, it could be a long afternoon for him.

Virginia Tech may have gotten off to a tough start in 2010, but it’s not too late for them to make a run at an ACC title. Before that happens, take them this weekend to cover the college football game line.

The Pick: Virginia Tech -4