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Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt Prediction, Picks & Odds: Week 1

Philip Wood

Last Updated: August 30, 2024 12:31 PM EDT • 2 min 60 sec read.

Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten warms up before a game against the Boston College Eagles as we look at our Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt prediction.
Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten warms up before a game against the Boston College Eagles. Photo by Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports.

The Vanderbilt Commodores and their weak defense are set to struggle against Kyron Drones and the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Even though they only finished the year 7-6, last season was a massive success for the Hokies. Drones took over as the team’s starting quarterback in Week 3. He endured some growing pains, but Drones also showed signs of greatness both running and throwing.

For the Commodores, the last campaign was more of the same. The program that hasn’t produced a winning season since 2008 finished 2-10. The Commodores will still trot out one of the nation's worst defenses, so our Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt Week 1 predictions focus on how the Hokies will exploit them.

Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt picks

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt prediction: Week 1

Virginia Tech Over 31.5 (+100)⭐⭐⭐⭐

Only two of our best sportsbooks are posting team totals for this game. FanDuel is asking -120 for over 30.5, and DraftKings is featuring -130 for the same number. However, the latter is allowing bettors to choose this alternate line for +100.

Same old Commodores

The Commodores allowed 38.3 points per game last season. Only three teams in the country gave up more.

After winning their first two games of the season, the Commodores lost 10 straight while allowing at least 31 points in every contest. Without a history of solid recruiting or successful transfer portal acquisitions, it makes sense to expect Vanderbilt to be bad again this season.

It could get ugly against a confident offense in Week 1.

Hokies on the rise

Drones only threw for 2,084 yards last season, but he also added 17 touchdowns and threw just three interceptions. He added another 818 yards and five touchdowns on the ground as a dual-threat weapon. The Commodores won't stop him from compiling yards either through the air or on the ground.

The Hokies’ defense was solid in 2023, allowing 23.9 points per contest. That was 46th-best in the nation. The Commodores only scored 20.6 points per game one season ago. The Commodores won’t sustain drives, so the Hokies’ offense will get plenty of time on the field against a tiring defense.

With how I expect this game to go, taking the Over on 34.5 points for +150 or better is worth a play too as part of our Week 1 college football predictions. 

Best odds: +100 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 50%

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Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt player prop

Bhayshul Tuten Over 79.5 rushing yards (+115) ⭐⭐⭐

This would be a four-star play if Drones wasn’t such a capable runner. The Commodores allowed 179.0 rushing yards per game last season. Yes, they played against SEC competition most of the year, but their run defense was putrid nonetheless.

Tuten ran for 863 yards while averaging 5.0 yards per carry in 2023. He ran for at least 80 yards five times, cracking 100 four times.

He also recorded at least 78 yards in five of the Hokies' seven wins last season. The Hokies are going to win on Saturday, which means Tuten will get lots of opportunities, even if Drones cracks 100 yards as well. 

Best odds: +115 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 46.51%

Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt game info

  • When: Saturday, Aug. 31
  • Kickoff: Noon ET
  • Where: FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, TN
  • How to watch: ESPN
  • Weather: 90 degrees, 80% chance of rain
  • Favorite: Virginia Tech (-550 via bet365)

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Written By:
Philip Wood
Phil has covered sports betting since 2016, and he has been with SportsBook Review since 2022. He previously hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast for CanesInsight.com. He is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is that if a line doesn't make sense just assume oddsmakers know something you don't. He also loves in-season futures. There is so much value to be had as the public overreacts weekly. Bettors tend to forget just how long NFL and college football seasons are. After all, the Green Bay Packers were 2-5 in 2023 and they made it to the Divisional Round. When deciding where to bet, it comes down to value over everything. +100 is always better than -110. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. He is also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and is willing to forgive Dan Campbell for forgetting that a kicker can be useful.