Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Pittsburgh Panthers: Odds, Analysis and Prediction

The Pittsburgh Panthers will look to beat the Virginia Tech Hokies for the seventh time in eight meetings when they square off in an ACC Coastal Division matchup Thursday night. The Panthers are also trying to end a three-game losing streak overall following a 24-19 setback at Virginia two weeks ago that they still covered as 5.5-point underdogs.

Point spread: Hokies opened as 2.5-point favorites at Heinz Field, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick via Odds Shark computer: 24.2-23.3 Hokies

Why the Virginia Tech Hokies can cover the spread

The Hokies have won their last four road games, going 3-1 against the spread. They are also 5-1 straight up in their past six road games vs. ACC opponents. Virginia Tech quietly won its last two games before the bye week after dropping two in a row at home.

The Hokies are coming off a 34-17 road win at North Carolina as 2.5-point favorites, ending a three-game skid ATS. In that game, Virginia Tech jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead before getting outscored 14-10 in the fourth quarter.

The team had a similar start last year against Pitt, leading 10-0 at the end of the first quarter and 16-3 at the end of the third en route to a 19-9 home win over the Panthers as seven-point favorites.

Why the Pittsburgh Panthers can cover the spread

The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings, and Pittsburgh has taken full advantage of that trend against Virginia Tech outside of last year’s loss. The Panthers are 4-1 SU in the last five meetings with the Hokies and 6-1 ATS in the past seven games between the teams. Pitt just needs to forget about its poor recent play and focus on closing the season strong instead.

After this game, the Panthers host Georgia Tech and Duke as part of a five-game stretch that sees them play four at home. If they can get a victory here, there’s still enough time to turn things around and make a run at a bowl game.

Smart pick

One of Pittsburgh’s main problems recently has been defending its home field, with the road team winning four of the last five at Heinz Field both SU and ATS. Combine that with Virginia Tech’s road success lately, and it’s hard to back the home team in this spot.

The Panthers failed to cover their previous three games before their most recent loss to the Cavaliers, and they have not managed to score more than 20 points in their past three.

Their current form simply does not merit backing them, while Virginia Tech seems to be headed in the opposite direction. That’s why the Hokies are the play.

Betting trends

• Virginia Tech is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
• Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last five games when playing Virginia Tech

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark; all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.