Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse Betting Preview

Virginia Tech (5-3) takes on Syracuse (5-2) in which promises to be a competitive game on Saturday at 12 pm ET.

Line Analysis and Action

• Opening Line - The line opened at Hokies -3
• Line Trend - The line has moved between -3 and -3.5.
• Sagarin Number -  Sagarin gives us a line of Virginia Tech -5.
• Action - Action was relatively balanced

Historic Comparables

• Washington State -3.5 Fresno State (Washington State 4.67 Underlay) - Washington State covers.
• Tennessee 3.5 to -4 Kentucky (Tenn 8.51 - Underlay of 5) - Tennessee covers.
• UCF -3.5 to -3 Memphis (road favorite UCF covers and wins by 7) - Here the underlay was a bit more significant at 3.5 to 4 but the road favorite did win.
• WSU -3.5 / -4.5 Arizona (road favorite WSU covers and wins by a lot ) - Also a more hefty underlay of 3.5 to 4.5 but with the favorite, Washington State, covering the spread.

There is this one as well but in a match of third tier teams:

• FAU -3 / -3.5 UNT (home dog covers and wins by a lot)  FAU 7.6 Underlay 4
• LSU -3 to -3.5 Arkansas (road dog Arkansas covers with LSU 3 point win) - LSU 6.9 was a more significant underlay of 3.5 to 4 points, so not quite a comparable just as UCF vs. Memphis above, which the favorite covered.

Tony Caliente's Take

"Some of the top handicappers are loving Syracuse here and we get it but the favorite has done well when there is an overlay and the line is between 3 and 3.5 based on our model."

Caliente adds: "I'd probably want to see more comparables favoring Virginia Tech to push the trigger on them here."

Winners and Whiners Likes Syracuse Though

From Winners and Whiners:

"Even after last week’s studying defeat, Syracuse is primed to cover the spread and even spring the upset in this one. The Orange have one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country, and even though he has struggled to take care of the ball, he gets to face a Virginia Tech defense that is far from elite. Adding in that Virginia Tech has struggled to move the ball in their own right at times this season, means that the Orange will be able to ride the home field momentum en route to a win on Saturday. Expect their defense to improve being back at home as well and if they avoid turnovers, to win the field position battle."