NCAA Football Betting Odds – Nebraska at Virginia Tech

Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0, 2-0 ATS) at Virginia Tech Hokies (1-1, 1-1 ATS)

Saturday, September 19 – 3:30 PM ET

BetOnline NCAA Football Betting Odds: Virginia Tech -5, Total 51

Don’t tell Bo Pelini they don’t play defense in the Big XII. The second year head coach at Nebraska, and former Defensive Coordinator for the 2007 National Champion LSU Tigers, has Big Red rolling again in Lincoln, as they come into Saturday’s crucial weekend matchup with Virginia Tech.

After a 9-4 opening act in 2008, Pelini is back for year two, with even higher expectations. Through two games, the Cornhuskers have dominated Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State, outscoring the pair 87-12 in the process. But Nebraska will be stepping up to a whole new level of play Saturday when they travel to Lane Stadium, one of college football’s most hostile environments, to take on the Hokies.

Virginia Tech is coming off a nice bounce back win last Saturday, after dropping their season opener to Alabama 34-24.

In their second game, Virginia Tech dominated from start to finish, scoring 35 first half points, and accumulating over 600 yards of total offense in 52-10 victory over Marshall. Ryan Williams and David Wilson had over 160 yards rushing a piece, with each averaging more than 10 yards a carry.

With that, this Saturday’s matchup will feature strength on strength, as the Hokies will try to pound the ball into Nebraska’s strong front seven. Virginia Tech currently ranks 13 th in the county in rushing offense, at over 254 yards per game, while Nebraska has given up just 137 yards on the ground per contest.

This one will be close from start to finish, and the key will be which team can better exert their will. Can Virginia Tech consistently keep the chains moving on the ground? Or will Nebraska hold the vaunted Hokies rushing attack in check.

I believe it will be the latter. As well as Pelini’s defense has played, the fiery head coach still has not been satisfied in victory, at one point calling his team “soft.” With a strong defensive line, led by All-American Ndamukong Suh, expect Nebraska to limit Virginia Tech’s opportunities on the ground and force Tyrod Taylor to beat them with his arm. Although the Hokies junior quarterback has improved, this one will stay close to the end. Take Nebraska, getting five points.

Aaron’s Pick: Nebraska +5