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Virginia Tech Football: Pittsburgh vs. Virginia Tech predictions, odds

By Scott Roche

Pittsburgh Panthers Phil Jurkovec prepares to fire the ball downfield while looking for an open receiver during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 23, 2023.
Pittsburgh Panthers Phil Jurkovec prepares to fire the ball downfield while looking for an open receiver during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 23, 2023. /
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After two losses on the road to Rutgers and Marshall, the Virginia Tech football team returns to Lane Stadium Saturday night to open up conference play against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Injuries have piled up for the Hokies and they are in desperate need of a win to salvage their season. There were positive signs in last week’s loss to the Thundering Hurd, but they were not able to make enough plays to win on the road.

Beginning conference play can give the Hokies a new opportunity to turn things around in 2023 and the schedule allows them to do it at home in front of a sold-out crowd. Here is a preview of the ACC conference opener for the Hokies and the Panthers’ second conference game of the season.

Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh, odds, spread total

As I write this article, DraftKings has Virginia Tech as a 2.5 underdog at home against Pittsburgh with an over/under set at 40.5 points.

Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh, How to Watch

  • Date: Sat. Sept. 30
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Venue: Lane Stadium
  • How to Watch: ACC Network and fubo TV
  • Virginia Tech record: 1-3
  • Pittsburgh record: 1-3

Virginia Tech vs. Marshall, Players to Watch

Virginia Tech

Bhayshul Tuten, RB: For one series last week against Marshall, the Hokies ran the ball and ran it the best they had all season. Then for some reason, they went away from it. If there was a week where Virginia Tech gets the running game going, it’s this week. Tuten is the Hokies’ best back and it’s time that offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen feeds him early and often against the Panthers. There is no holding back in the playbook this week as Tech opens up ACC play.

Pittsburgh

Phil Jurkovec or Christian Veilleux, QB: Last week was a rough week for Pittsburgh’s two quarterbacks against North Carolina and the Hokies’ defense has a good opportunity to in front of a sold-out crowd to plant some doubt early. Jerkovec struggled the last two seasons at Boston College and those struggles have carried over the Pittsburgh. Veilleux threw a pair of interceptions against the Tar Heels and pressuring whoever is under center for the Panthers is a must, especially early in the game.

Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh, Prediction and Pick

Two teams with identical records play Saturday night at Lane Stadium and both are coming in on three-game losing streaks. The Hokies have dropped three straight after beating Old Dominion in Week 1 and Pittsburgh has dropped three straight after beating Wofford in Week 1. Virginia Tech has struggled running the ball and stopping the run. The Panthers got beat last week at home by North Carolina and their quarterbacks struggled. Both teams enter the game with more questions than answers. This game could literally go in either direction, but with a large amount of injuries and still a lot of questions, we’ll lean towards Pittsburgh.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 31, Virginia Tech 30

More. 5 expectations for the Hokies against Pittsburgh. light

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