Virginia Tech at Florida State Prediction
The Virginia Tech Hokies will head down to Tallahassee to take on the Florida State Seminoles in ACC play this weekend from Bobby Bowden Field on ABC. Florida State and Virginia Tech met in every season from 1955-1980 back during their time as Independents, but this will mark their first meeting in five years. FSU holds the head-to-head lead, 23-13-1, after winning their 2018 meeting, 24-3.
Virginia Tech Hokies Preview
Virginia Tech moved to 2-3 after defeating Pitt in Blacksburg, 38-21. The Hokies put together their best offensive effort of the season to snap a three-game skid, and they’ll attempt to put a scare on FSU this weekend. The Virginia Tech offense is scoring 24.8 ppg, while passing for 222.4 ypg, rushing for 126.4 ypg, and converting 34.7% of their third downs.
VT Player Notes
• Kyron Drones came through with his best outing in a Tech uniform, passing for 228 yards and three touchdowns passes, while adding a pair of scores on the ground. The former Baylor QB turned the clock back with a strong start against Pitt, but he’ll now face a steep test this weekend in Tallahassee. Drones has thrown for 618 yards, with one touchdown to one interception, while adding 164 and a pair of scores on the ground.
• Junior back Bhayshul Tuten reached the 100-yard mark for the first time this season versus Pitt, and he leads Tech with 301 rushing yards, while adding 132 yards.
• Senior wideout Da’Quan Felton found the endzone in last week’s victory, and he leads VT in catches (14) and receiving yards (209).
• The Tech defense is allowing 25.0 points per game.
Florida State Seminoles Preview
Florida State improved to 4-0 after defeating Clemson on the road by a touchdown, 31-24. The Seminoles tacked on their second strong victory of the season with the overtime win over the Tigers, and they’ll look to come out of the bye week strong here against Tech. The FSU offense is scoring 43.3 ppg, while passing for 279.5 ypg, rushing for 147.8 ypg, and converting 37.5% of their third downs.
FSU Player Notes
• Jordan Travis did enough to get FSU past the finish line last weekend, passing for 289 yards with three total touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush). The senior QB has put Florida State back on the map over the past two seasons, and he’s got a chance to take things even further if he can keep things going throughout ACC play. Travis comes into Week 6 with 1,028 passing yards, with ten touchdowns to one interception, while rushing for 94 yards and a pair of scores on the ground.
• Trey Benson has been quiet through two ACC matchups, but he still leads the Noles in rushing with 189 yards, and four scores.
• Johnny Wilson has reached the 90-yard mark leads FSU in receptions (12), receiving yards (170), and touchdowns (4) after a big game against LSU.
• The FSU defense has allowed 22.5 points per game.
Virginia Tech vs Florida State Trends
• VT is 2-3 against the spread, with a 3-2 O/U record.
• FSU is 3-1 ATS, with a 3-1 over/under record.
• The Hokies have lost seven of its last eight games in October.
• The Seminoles have covered the spread in six of its last seven matches when playing with a rest advantage.
Corey’s Free Pick
I love how Virginia Tech came through as underdogs last Saturday, but this time around they won’t have a fierce Lane Stadium crowd backing them, and they’ll be facing a much stronger unit. FSU had the task of opening conference play with a pair of road spots, and after going into Clemson and making a statement last weekend, I think they put it on the Hokies here at home. Florida State football is back, and it’s unlikely they slip up here against a limited Tech offense. This one could get ugly, so let’s back a blowout for the Noles here in their first home game in nearly a month.
