Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Louisville Cardinals – College Football, October 31, 2020

The Hokies are hoping to rebound after a letdown performance against Wake Forest. The Cardinals are coming off their most complete game of the season and want to keep their foot on the gas pedal.

Who has the edge in Saturday’s ACC clash in Derby City?

That’s where this Virginia Tech vs. Louisville prediction comes in handy.

With twice as many losses on their 2020 resume, it’s not a shocker Louisville is the underdog versus VA Tech. What is a bit surprising is that the total has ballooned all the way up to 67.5. After most of the top college football sportsbooks installed the total at 65.5, the money keeps pouring in on the over.

The Cardinals have surrendered a total of 23 points over their last two games and the Hokies passing game is virtually nonexistent. Just a thought to keep in mind before you lock in a Virginia Tech vs. Louisville prediction.

182.6 passing yards per game is all his team averages. On the flip side, the Hokies 291.6 rushing yards/game is by far the most in the ACC. Khalil Herbert has been electric ripping off 656 rushing yards on just 75 carries (8.7 ypc).

What’s crazy is Herbert is even more productive when opposing defenses try and stack the box.

Highest yards per carry vs 8+ defenders in the box

1. Khalil Herbert, VA Tech: 10.7
2. Ulysses Bentley IV, SMU: 8.7
3. Travis Etienne, Clemson: 7.6
3. Anthony Adkins, Army: 7.6 pic.twitter.com/YRYzgy1RVU

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 21, 2020

The prowess of the senior tailback is a big reason why Virginia Tech ranks 11^th in the FBS in rushing plays % (62.53%). With that being said, Hendon Hooker’s 33 pass attempts last week in Winston-Salem marked the first time the Hokies attempted at least 30 passes in a single game.

Of course, Hooker tossed three picks and generated a measly 49.7 QBR. Perhaps this team should go back to pounding the rock on the ground.

Right behind the Hokies in rush play % is Louisville. The Cardinals run the ball on 62.47% of their play calls, and why not when you have Javion Hawkins carving up defenders.

14 carries
172 yards
3 touchdowns

It's the third quarter and @UofLFootball running back @JavianHawkins is already matching career highs. pic.twitter.com/nsVFUo7s1T

— FOX Sports South (@FOXSportsSouth) October 24, 2020

The shifty sophomore has now topped 150 rushing yards in three of his last five games and is proving to be one of the elite backs in the nation.

QB Micale Cunningham is going to hand the ball off to Javion early and often in the Halloween matchup, but it won’t take long for Tutu Atwell to make his presence felt. The speed demon slot receiver is a safety blanket for this offense who’s bursting with big-play potential.

Look for Scott Satterfield to continue moving Tutu around in multiple formations in hopes of keeping the defense off balance. Getting the ball in Atwell’s hands combined with a heavy dose of Hawkins is this team’s best recipe for success.

One of my top upset picks in college football this week is backing the Cardinals to win the game outright. However, the prudent play in a Virginia Tech vs. Louisville prediction is to latch onto the 3.5-point cushion that’s available at XBet.

The Hokies don’t throw the ball efficiently enough to pull away on the road – especially not at Cardinal Stadium where Louisville just hung a 48-spot on the Seminoles. The momentum the Cardinals sustained from playing Notre Dame close in South Bend was carried over, and thus we saw a dominating performance last weekend against Florida State.

I expect Louisville to keep the wheels turning in the right direction on Halloween versus the Hokies.

As keen as I was to hop on a Virginia Tech vs. Louisville pick, it’s not the only college football game on Saturday you should be eager to bet.

A couple of Big Ten games stood out in particular.