Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Betting: Surging Jackets look to sting struggling Cavaliers

In-season coaching changes don’t always produce better results, but they are for Georgia Tech. Tonight, the Yellow Jackets will be going for their third straight win as they host Virginia in ACC action.

Last month, coach Geoff Collins was let go after a 1-3 start, with assistant head coach and GT alum Brent Key moving into the interim head coach role.

So far, Key’s audition for the permanent role couldn’t be going any better, as the Jackets upset then-ranked Pitt on the road and followed it with an overtime win over previously 4-1 Duke.

Following a week off, Georgia Tech is back in action tonight against Virginia, who also had last week off. But while things appear to be on the upswing for the Jackets, the Cavaliers are still searching for their first ACC win and trying to avoid a fourth straight loss.

Virginia Cavaliers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Virginia Cavaliers (2-4, 0-3 ACC) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-3, 2-1 ACC)
• Venue & Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Date: Thursday, October 20, 2022
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Virginia vs. Georgia Tech: ESPN

Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites may also appear in this article.

Spread

• Virginia +3 (-110)
• Georgia Tech -3 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 47.5 (-106)
• Under 47.5 (-114)

Moneyline

• Virginia +125
• Georgia Tech -150

Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Prediction and Picks

Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Prediction: Georgia Tech to win

Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Picks: Georgia Tech ML (Best Value: -148 at BetUS) & Georgia Tech team total over (Best Value: over 24.5 @ +100 at Bovada Sportsbook)

Hiccups are to be expected with a coaching transition, but the Cavaliers are facing a serious fight to achieve bowl eligibility under new coach Tony Elliott.

Following this game, they have four straight home games, but their margin for error has been greatly diminished by their early struggles.

Quarterback Brennan Armstrong was expected to have another strong season, but through six games, he is completing only 55 percent of his passes, averaging only 6.5 yards per attempt, and has thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdown passes (5).

He did have his best game of the season yardage and completion percentage wise last time out in a 34-17 loss to Louisville, completing 24 of 34 passes for 313 yards, so there is that.

It was his first 300-yard game of the season after falling under 300 yards only once all of last season, but he threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, which the Cardinals turned into 17 decisive points.

He has been missing one of his key targets in WR Billy Kemp IV, who has played in only two games this season after catching 141 passes in the previous two seasons. Kemp is expected to play tonight, but how much will it help?

While Armstrong is struggling, Georgia Tech QB Jeff Sims was fantastic in their win over Duke two weeks ago. He was 22 of 34 for 227 yards and a season-high two touchdowns, and he ran for a season-high 95 yards on 17 attempts.

Rushing Statistics for Georgia Tech QB Jeff Sims (2022 Season)

• First Four Games (with Collins as HC): 48 attempts, 125 yards (2.6 yards per attempt)
• Last Two Games (with Key as HC): 36 attempts, 176 yards (4.9 yards per attempt)

The Cavaliers are 89th in FBS in rushing defense, allowing 163 yards per game. That spells real trouble against the Yellow Jackets, who ran for 232 yards against Pitt (5.3 yards per attempt) and 180 yards against Duke (4.9 yards per attempt).

Against the Panthers, Sims and RB Hassan Hall combined for 238 yards on 39 attempts (6.1 yards per attempt), and against the Blue Devils, the duo combined for 165 yards on 34 attempts (4.9 yards per attempt).

Rushing Props for Georgia Tech’s Jeff Sims and Hassan Hall vs. Virginia

Odds are via BetOnline.

• QB Jeff Sims: over 44.5 (-114), under 44.5 (-114)
• RB Hassan Hall: over 61.5 (-114), under 61.5 (-114)

This all especially spells trouble because Virginia has had multiple turnovers in every game thus far this season, and Georgia Tech is tied for fourth in FBS in turnover margin at +8 (12 takeaways, four giveaways).

If things hold true to form, the Jackets will be able to control the clock and control the game to pick up a third straight win. And if Tech does control the game like I feel that they will, I like their chances of scoring their most points so far under Key.

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