Thursday Night College Football Preview
North Carolina at Virginia Tech
Odds makers are not expecting this week?s Thursday Night Prime Time game to be very competitive as they have installed Virginia Tech as 16.5 point favorites. The line opened on Sunday night at minus 17 but a small bit of sharp action has come in on the North Carolina causing the line to drop a ? point. Virginia Tech is coming into this game off of a bye week but lost at Georgia Tech 28-23 on October 17th as 3.5 point favorites. The Hokies are 5-2 SU but just 3-4 ATS. North Carolina on the other hand is coming off a tough 3 point loss to Florida State in a game where the Tar Heels blew an 18 point 3rd quarter lead. With both teams coming off difficult losses, motivation should be high for both clubs.
North Carolina has lost their last 3 conference games to Georgia Tech, Virginia, and Florida State. Their struggles are primarily on the offensive side of the ball where they are averaging just 289.3 yards of total offense per game. T.J. Yates needs to step up his play if his team is to have any chance in this ball game against a very tough Virginia Tech defense. Yates has thrown 7 touchdowns along with 8 interceptions. Expect the Hokies? attacking style of defense to bring pressure early and often to force Yates into making even more costly mistakes.
The North Carolina defense statistically has been very good but they absolutely collapsed in the second half of last week?s game against Florida State. The number one priority for them this week will be to try and stop the power running game of Virginia Tech which is averaging over 200 yards a game on the ground. The Tar Heel defense is allowing 102 yards rushing per game and just 2.8 yards per carry but this is by far the most dangerous rushing attack they?ve faced. Not only do they have to stop running back Ryan Williams but they also have to keep quarterback Tyrod Taylor from escaping the pocket and using his feet to create big plays for the Hokie offense.
Virginia Tech?s game plan will be simple: Run the ball and play great defense. The Hokie defense is much more battle tested than North Carolina?s as they have faced teams like Alabama, Nebraska, Miami, and Georgia Tech. Despite the difficult schedule this unit has held it?s own. In the first game, Alabama ran all over them but since then they have been extremely tough. They are allowing just 317 yards of total offense and 19 points per game. The secondary has been outstanding but the one minor weakness has been up front against the run.
As mentioned earlier, they?ve been getting better as the year has progressed but North Carolina might try to run the ball early in this ball game to take all the pressure off of Yates. If the Tar Heels can establish the run and stop the run, they have a chance to pull the upset but it that is an extremely tall order. Let?s not forget that Lane Stadium is one of the most hostile environments in college football and will be jacked up for a prime time game on ESPN.