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Virginia Tech vs. Purdue: Location, time, predictions College Football Week 2

By Scott Roche

Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) celebrates after getting a tackle during the NCAA football game against the Fresno State Bulldogs, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Fresno State Bulldogs won 39-35.
Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) celebrates after getting a tackle during the NCAA football game against the Fresno State Bulldogs, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Fresno State Bulldogs won 39-35. /
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The Virginia Tech football team will be looking for a second straight win to begin the 2023 season when they host Purdue on Saturday. Both teams are coming in off of different results in Week 1 with the Hokies beating Old Dominion, 36-17, at home and the Boilermakers losing, 39-35, at home to Fresno State.

Purdue vs. Virginia Tech betting trends

  • Purdue is 0-1 ATS
  • Purdue OVER is 1-0
  • Virginia Tech is 1-0 ATS
  • Virginia Tech UNDER is 0-1

Purdue vs. Virginia Tech How to Watch

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 9
  • Time: 12 p.m.
  • Venue: Lane Stadium
  • How to Watch: ESPN2
  • Purdue record: 0-1
  • Virginia Tech record: 1-0

Purdue vs. Virginia Tech Key Players to Watch

Purdue

Hudson Card, QB: Former Texas quarterback Hudson Card is in his first season with the Boilermakers and he is looking to help his team bounce back from a stunning non-conference loss at home to the Bulldogs. In his first game in West Lafayette, Card threw for 254 yards, two touchdowns, and rushed for 29 yards. Deion Burks was his top target with four receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Earlier this week, Hokies coach Brent Pry spoke about how his cornerbacks were not challenged by Old Dominion and that’s because the Monarchs had so much success running the ball. They should get a much better challenge this weekend.

Virginia Tech

Grant Wells, QB: If there was a quarterback last weekend that needed a good start to the season, it was Wells and while it wasn’t always perfect, it was good enough to get the job done. The senior signal caller was 17-for-29 for 254 yards and two touchdown passes and he also ran for one. After missing some open receivers early in the game, he settled in and was able to spread the ball around to wide receivers Ali Jennings, Jaylin Lane, and Da’Quan Felton. Tight ends Benji Gosnell and Dae’Quan Wright are going to be more involved in the offense with the news this week that senior Nick Gallo was lost for the season. Expect to see some wrinkles from Pry with transfer QB Kyron Drones getting some snaps to mix things up.

Purdue vs. Virginia Tech Prediction and Pick

This game looked on paper earlier this summer as a loss, but things have turned after Week 1, and you get a different feeling heading into this one. Purdue’s defense allowed a whopping 371 yards in the air to Fresno State and you expect them to have a bounce-back game. However, Virginia Tech has to test them and test them early. You’re at home, in front of a sold-out crowd, and playing with confidence after beating Old Dominion last weekend.

Defensively, the Hokies cornerbacks should be tested more by Card and the Boilermakers wide receivers, but expect Purdue to look to run the ball as well. Last weekend, Virginia Tech allowed 201 yards rushing to a team that averaged just 92 in 2022. A key for Pry’s defense will be whether or not they can create turnovers as they forced three in the second half against ODU which allowed them to pull away.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Purdue 24

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