Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Virginia Tech Hokies somehow avoided each other a year ago in Notre Dame’s lone season as an ACC participant but squared up in the two seasons prior. Just a fun bit of college football matchup history for the fans.
Both of these teams kicked off the college football season with big Week 1 win against top 15 ranked teams but had their undefeated season hopes dashed by a rust belt team not too long after.
Virginia Tech came up just short of a massive comeback against West Virginia in Week 3 but couldn’t score on four chances in the red zone, and ultimately time ran out. Notre Dame was the victim of a Cincinnati team on a mission to prove they belong in the College Football Playoff conversation.
Neither team can boast about an undefeated record any longer, but each have quality football teams with some good games remaining on the schedule, including this weekend in Blacksburg.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Preview
The Irish have been known historically for a big, bullying offensive line that punishes defense late into games. Unfortunately for Brian Kelly, this year’s line has been nothing of the sort. The running game was expected to be the strength of the team after Kyren Williams’ stellar sophomore season, but the junior is averaging under four yards per carry and hasn’t broken the 100-yard mark in any game this year.
Jack Coan has made an impact as a transfer from Wisconsin, most notably in the team’s comeback win against Toledo. The signal-caller has battled injuries since his revenge game against the Badgers two weeks ago and isn’t expected to be able to go against the Hokies, leaving the job to Tyler Buchner or Drew Pyne to call the shots. A tough ask for either backup behind a struggling offensive line against an aggressive Hokies defense.
Virginia Tech Hokies Team Preview
Virginia Tech had one of the best Week 1 wins in college football when they knocked off a highly ranked North Carolina team in front of a sold-out crowd in Blacksburg. Enter Sandman was pumping through the PA system, and college football felt like it was fully back for the first time in over a year.
The Hokies offense hasn’t been anything to write home about this year. As a team, they’re averaging below four yards a rush, and Braxton Burmeister is passing for less than 200 yards per game.
The bright side of the Virginia Tech season comes on the defensive side. The team has gotten back to playing at a high level like the years under legendary coach Frank Beamer. The Hokies rank second in the ACC in scoring and passing defense, trailing only Clemson. Notre Dame’s offensive line will need to gel in this game as the Hokies get the quarterback on the ground more than three times a game.
Betting Preview
Sportsbooks doesn’t favor either team in the game and currently has it slated as a pick ‘em contest. The over/under total points betting line is currently sitting at 47 total points.
The road atmosphere in Blacksburg could be the ultimate decider in this if Notre Dame has a backup quarterback behind a struggling offensive line. Expect a low-scoring affair and the possibility of a defensive or special teams score to be the deciding factor in this one.
If you want to know more about these NCAAF teams stats and previews like this Fighting Irish at Hokies betting preview keep up on Insiders Betting Digest.