It's been a choppy start to the season for Virginia Tech with a stunning upset loss at Vanderbilt followed by a 17-point victory over Marshall despite an offense that once again struggled in the first half. This week, the Hokies head to Norfolk looking to get above .500 against an Old Dominion team hungry for their first win of the season.
The Hokies may rightly be two-touchdown favorites, but Norfolk has been a house of horrors for Tech from the 2018 upset when Tech was ranked in the top 25 and then kicked Trevon Hill off the team the following year, to the 2022 upset loss that is most remembered for some of Tech's coaches getting stuck in the elevator on their way up to the coaches box after halftime. Given that history, no one should be taking this one for granted.
So with that said, let's dive into the prediction along with the rest of our TLP pregame coverage.
- Four Things to Watch for VT vs ODU
- Four Hokies to Watch vs ODU
- ‘Tugboat’ Bhayshul Tuten Steering VT’s Offense to Success
Tim Thomas
Tech is rightly a two-touchdown favorite, but I don't think confidence about this team delivering on expectations is high and understandably so given the disappointing start to the season. However, the talent advantage that the Hokies is still just as true as it was on the last two trips to Norfolk with the question being can they deliver.
Offensively, ODU has struggled especially in the trenches with a rushing attack that’s averaged under 3.5 yards per carry in each of their first two games and a pass block that has given up nine sacks and 34 total individual pressures this season. For reference, Tech has only given up 19 individual pressures.
This feels like a game ripe for a big day from the Tech pass rush especially Antwaun Powell-Ryland in his return to the 757. The Monarchs do have a trio of intriguing receivers that will test Tech’s secondary but this should be a clear advantage for the Hokies.
On the offensive side for the Hokies, this is a game where need to establish the run and get control of this game early. ODU’s pass defense has looked pretty good through two weeks as South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers was 10-23 for 114 yards while ECU’s Jake Garcia threw four interceptions last week.
Tech will need Kyron Drones to be sharp in this game against an ODU pass defense that has punished opposing QBs when they haven’t. The gameplan also has to be better and allow Drones to take some shots while feeding the running backs early and often in this one.
One thing to note is that with Bhayshul Tuten banged up (even though he is good to go), I wonder if he may be on a pitch count depending on how the game plays out. Personally, I think Tech would be wise to deploy some load management especially given how capable a backup Malachi Thomas is while having a solid change-of-pace guy to pair him with in PJ Prioleau.
I do think this will end up being a little back and forth early on but the Hokies will pull away in the end for a comfortable two-score victory.
Pick: Virginia Tech 31, Old Dominion 17
Tucker Terry
The Virginia Tech Hokies are looking to pick up their first road win of the season against the Monarchs of Old Dominion, a team they defeated 36-17 in their season opener just last season. Old Dominion always seems to give the Hokies' trouble though, as they are just one of five teams that Virginia Tech hasn’t beaten in at least two attempts on the road.
However, this year figures to be different, as the Monarchs have scored just 33 points this season in two grind-it-out losses. While the Hokies' offense has left plenty to be desired, they seemingly just need to cross the 20 point threshold to win the game. While Old Dominion has done well defending the pass, their opponents have dominated on the ground, an area that the Hokies excelled in at 23rd in the country last season.
If Bhayshul Tuten can repeat any of East Carolina running back Rahjai Harris’ 131 yards, Kyron Drones should do more than enough to turn this into a runaway game, which the Hokies need to build some momentum as the near ACC play.
Virginia Tech will cruise in the second half for a 41-13 win.
