Virginia Tech News: Football odds shift & women’s basketball

In this edition of Virginia Tech News, the odds for the football game against North Carolina State have moved and the women’s basketball team returns to the court looking to bounce back from their loss to Iowa.

Football odds come down, but Virginia Tech is still a favorite

According to DraftKings last Sunday, the Hokies opened as a 3.5-point favorite against NC State, but as the week has gone along, the line has shifted, in favor of the Wolfpack.

As I write this, the line has shifted in favor of North Carolina State and it is down to 2.5 in favor of Virginia Tech. The Wolfpack enter the game at 7-3 and have a very good defense that is going to challenge the Hokies offense and the play-calling of offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen. Last weekend, the Hokies put up 48 points on Boston College on the road, while the Wolfpack allowed just six points against Wake Forest.

At 5-5, the Hokies need to win one of their final two games (next week at Virginia if they lose this week) to become bowl-eligible which would be a big step for the program looking toward 2024.

Virginia Tech women’s hoop returns to action after Iowa loss

It had to be a long week for Virginia Tech women’s basketball coach Kenny Brooks and his team. On Nov. 9, Iowa’s talented guard Caitlin Clark dropped 44 points on the Hokies in an 80-76 Hawkeyes win in Charlotte in an early-season showdown between two Top 10 teams who went to the Final Four last season.

A week later, the Hokies return to Cassell Coliseum to host Houston Christian as they continue their early non-conference schedule. At 1-1, this should be a good opportunity for Brooks to give his starters some time off and get some work in for his bench players. Depth is going to be key this season for Virginia Tech. You can never have enough.