College Football Game of the Week – #7 Virginia Tech Hokies vs. #5 Alabama Crimson Tide

College Football Game of the Week: #7 Virginia Tech Hokies vs. #5 Alabama Crimson Tide

Game-day: 9/5/2009

Kick-off: 8:00 pm EST

One of the most storied teams in college football history, the Alabama Crimson Tide, and one of the most storied teams in the modern era of college football, the Virginia Tech Hokies, battle it out on Saturday night in what most college football fans will say is opening weekend’s marquee game.

The Tide were thumped by unheralded Utah in the 2009 Sugar Bowl and will be looking to get off on the right foot this season when they welcome the Hokies. ‘Bama returns 8 starters on defense, but their offense won’t be that great unless they find a way to get the ball into the hands of sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones. Their rushing attack, led by Glen Coffee, is gong to be very good when they get into SEC play, but against the Hokies Jones is going to have to be the man.

Virginia Tech will go as far in this game as quarterback Tyrod Taylor takes them. Va Tech always sports a tough defense, but in recent years their offense has been where the failures are. Taylor can be fantastic with his feet and not so great with his arm. He’s going to need both against that Crimson Tide front seven.

Here is the BetOnline online NFL betting line for this game.

Virginia Tech Hokies +6 ½ -110 +230 O 38 -110

Alabama Crimson Tide -6 ½ -110 -270 U 38 -110

Here are a few online wagering trends for this game.

• The Virginia Tech Hokies are 2 and 8 ATS in their last 10 games versus a non-conference opponent.
• The Virginia Tech Hokies are 2 and 7 ATS in their last 9 games in September.
• The Alabama Crimson Tide are 5 and 2 against the spread in their last 7 games overall.
• The Under is 5 and 1 in the Virginia Tech Hokies last 6 games overall.

This game could set up as a nice parlay bet if gamblers were so inclined to take a swing. I do see this game going under the 38 points. That’s the weaker part of the parlay, however, as there is another wager being offered that makes absolute sense to bet.

I have to hand it to Virginia Tech coach Frank Beemer. Opening up your season against the team coached by Bear Bryant, on the road, is one gutsy move, but Beemer knows that a victory against ‘Bama early puts the Hokies into the BCS Championship discussion right off the bat.

Unfortunately, he’s not going to get that victory. In fact, Alabama has a chance to really mess with Virginia Tech in this game. The betting line is only 6 ½ points. I see the Crimson Tide crushing Virginia Tech in this and winning by at least two touchdowns.

That’s the wager. ‘Bama’s defense is just too good and Va Tech has key injury on their defensive side while their quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, just doesn’t have that big game college football feel about him.

I’m going with Alabama to cover the spread at -6 ½ -110 in the sportsbook.