Needing one win over their final four games to become bowl-eligible, the Virginia Tech football team will begin their quest for their sixth win of the season on Saturday afternoon. The Hokies will travel to New York to play at Syracuse, who also has five wins and looking to become bowl-eligible.
The JMA Wireless Dome and whatever else it's been called overtime during Virginia Tech's visits there has been nothing short of a house of horrors for the Hokies no matter who has been on the sideline. Can the 2024 version of Virginia Tech snap the struggles? We'll find out in one day.
According to most betting sites, Virginia Tech remains a favorite to win the game after opening as the favorite last weekend. A lot of bettors are in on the Hokies and surprisingly, so is ESPN's latest predictor.
ESPN predictor has Virginia Tech as a heavy favorite to beat Syracuse
ESPN's match predictor has been high on the Hokies this season and this week, they remain high on Virginia Tech ending their struggles at Syracuse. It gives the visitors a 68.8% of going up to the Dome and winning over the new-look Orange.
If we're being honest, that's surprising. I'm not saying that it isn't a winnable game for Brent Pry's team, but with questions surrounding the health of running back Bhayshul Tuten, who is probable to play according to Pry earlier this week, it's surprising the odds haven't shifted in the favor of the hosts.
Syracuse is 5-2 and for the first time in a long time plays Virginia Tech, they have a play-making quarterback in Kyle McCord and his talented receivers. Their defense is very good against the run, but they are vulnerable in the passing game. Regardless of whether or not Tuten is healthy and plays, Virginia Tech will need to attack the Orange defense through the air.
A win over Syracuse would be big for the Hokies for a number of reasons, but not only would it make them bowl-eligible, but also keep their faint ACC Championship Game hopes alive with Clemson coming to Blacksburg next weekend. First things first, beating Syracuse, which ESPN's matchup predictor is high on happening.