Virginia Tech finished with a 6-7 record last season, getting humiliated by the Maryland Terrapins in a 54-10 blowout.
The Monarchs had a horrible start last season, going 1-6 before winning 5 in a row to qualify for a bowl game and finishing 2021 with a 6-7 record.
With this game potentially being one of the top NCAAF matchups in week one, read on for the Hokies vs. Monarchs best bets.
Hokies Offense vs. the Monarchs Defense
Coaching With NFL Experience in Offense
The Virginia Tech Hokies will look to improve upon their 23.7 PPG 2021 offense under their new offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen who is a former TEs coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars and also coached on James Franklin’s staff at Penn State.
Also in his first year with the Hokies is head coach Brent Pry. Together, Bowen and Pry will look to bring out the best in Grant Well, their new quarterback transfer from Marshall.
Marshall has been an inconsistent passer throughout his career, throwing for 5,623 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions in the last two seasons.
Missing Some Key Pieces on Defense
The Old Dominion Monarchs have some critical losses on defense, including linebacker Jordan Young who is the team’s all-time tackle leader.
The team will also be losing defensive back Roger Cray who led them in pass breakups last season with twelve deflections.
The Monarchs’ defense was atrocious, giving up 26 passing touchdowns while allowing 250 yards a game including 400 total yards in four of their last five games of the season.
Player Spotlight: Grant Wells
Last year, Grant Wells had 299 yards against the Old Dominion Monarchs who as a team allowed Wells and Marshall to outgain them by over 100 yards.
The Monarchs are really going to miss some of their key starters on an already struggling defense going up against Wells and this pass-happy offense who are weak at the runningback position and will be forced to throw a lot.
In 2021, Wells threw for 3,532 with a 66.3 completion percentage. He also threw for over 300 yards five times last season, including a 433-yard game.
Pick: For one of my Hokies vs. Monarchs best bets, give me Virginia to score a touchdown as the first scoring play of the game for +130.
Hokies vs. Monarchs Matchup Analysis
Playing a More Traditional 4-3 On Defense
Coach Pry has made some changes on defense, bringing in Chris Marve as his defensive coordinator. Marve played for Pry at Vanderbilt when Pry was a defensive coordinator there.
Pry and Marve will move to a more traditional 4-3 this year without a strong unit up front and a strong linebacker unit in Dax Hollifield and Alan Tisdale and solid secondary.
As a unit, the Hokies gave up 25.3 PPG on defense.
Exceeding Expectations On Offense
Dave Patenaude, the new offensive coordinator for the Old Dominion Monarchs will have plenty of talent to work with on offense, including four returning offensive linemen.
Hayden Wolff, the Redshirt freshman, started the final seven games for the Monarchs in 2021. During those seven starts, Wolff had a 62.8 completion percentage, ten touchdowns, and seven interceptions with Old Dominion averaging nearly 400 yards per game with him behind center.
The Monarchs will be bringing back ten starters, including Wolff and 1,000-yard receiver Ali Jennings. Wolff will also have Zach Kuntz, the 6’8, 2018 number four tight end recruit.
The Monarchs averaged 27.6 PPG last season, gaining 5.3 yards per play.
Player to Look Out For: Hayden Wolff
The Old Dominion Monarchs averaged 35 PPG with Hayden Wolff as their quarterback, including a 56-point game, 47-point game, and a 43-point game.
The Virginia Tech Hokies were inconsistent on defense last year, Allowing 54 points, 41 points, and 32 points in 3 games out of their last 6.
Last season, Hayden Wolff threw for 1,933 yards, and 10 TD, averaging 7.6 yards per play with a 62.8 completion percentage
NCAAF Pick: Hockies -7.5 (-110)
NCAAF Pick: Hockies (-290)
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