The Virginia Tech football team will host Old Dominion in their second game of the season next Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium. If there is a game where there is going to be a big revenge game this season, it'll be Saturday afternoon.
Almost one year to the day, the Monarchs blasted the Hokies, 46-25, and it ended the career of Brent Pry in Blacksburg as head coach. He was fired the next day. Since that Saturday night a year ago, a lot has changed for both teams, with the rosters looking different and the Hokies having a brand-new coaching staff. When the teams kick off next Saturday afternoon, Virginia Tech will be a heavy favorite.
Virginia Tech opens as double-digit favorite against Old Dominion
The lines for games next weekend were dropped on Sunday, and according to FanDuel, Virginia Tech opens as a 17.5-point favorite over ODU. Both teams will be entering the season at 1-0 after the Monarchs took down former Virginia Tech legend Michael Vick and Norfolk State, 31-10, on Saturday at home.
There's no sugarcoating things: Virginia Tech has had problems with the Monarchs in recent years, with Brent Pry going 2-2 against ODU during his tenure in Blacksburg. His tenure was bookended with losses, one on the road and last season's at home.
After the way Virginia Tech looked against VMI, the Hokies should be favorites to win the game. I know VMI isn't much of a measuring stick, but Virginia Tech played with energy that has not been seen in some time around the program. If there is anyone left over from last year's team, and with Pry back as the defensive coordinator under Franklin and how much he's liked, there should be no reason the same energy isn't there again against the Monarchs.
It is a little surprising that the line is only 15.5 points, and it'll be interesting to see where it moves as the week goes along. You have to figure out whether it will move in one direction, and if it moves in the Hokies' direction, that will tell you a lot.
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