Virginia Tech-Tennessee: Chick-Fil-A Bowl Preview and Predictions

Dec. 31, 2009, 7:30 PM EST, Atlanta, on ESPN

Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Tennessee Volunteers (7-5) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3)

Opening Line

Virginia Tech -4 (current VT -5.5)

Game Preview

The Hokies have to be disappointed. They have been in and out of the top 10 all year, but instead of landing a BCS bid, they get an unranked opponent in the Volunteers.

The Hokies are extremely well-coached, so I do not see them sleepwalking through this contest. 

The Vols have been tested against great competition in the SEC and their tough defense can keep them in a game with anybody (see Florida). You never know what Lane Kiffin will say, so this game has a bit of intrigue as well.

Tennessee Preview 

The Vols may still be a couple of notches below where they would like to be, but they certainly are interesting. Their coach mixes it up at press conferences and their players are robbing fellow students at the gas station. In between, they have shown toughness and improvement in most areas.

In this contest, they will rely on their stingy D (19th in the country in yards) and the running of Montario Hardesty (what a great name). If QB Jonathan Crompton doesn’t turn it over, this formula may yield a victory. 

In case you forgot, Tennessee only lost to Alabama by two, while VT lost by 10 in the opening week. These teams may be closer to each other than they first appear.

Virginia Tech Preview 

The Hokies are very good. If they had closed out UNC and GT, we might have heard them clamoring for a rematch with the Crimson Tide. As usual, they are leaning on their defense, which is OK when you give up only 16 PPG.

Frosh running back Ryan Williams has been amazing replacing Darren Evans, and Tyrod Taylor is dangerous at QB. Unfortunately, some of the danger he creates is for his own team. He has definitely improved and, if he can outplay his counterpart, the Hokies will win. They rarely beat themselves in other facets of the game.

Game Prediction 

My gut says Taylor outplays Crompton in this one. He can make plays with his feet, which will be important, while the Hokies will be able to rattle the Vols' QB. If VT can get up early, Tennessee just might pack it in.

Score Prediction

Virginia Tech Hokies: 27

Tennessee Volunteers: 17

Pick

Not sure why this line is heading up…I guess the rest of the world is thinking like I am. As long as it stays under seven I feel good about the Hokies. You might want to buy a point to be sure.

Virginia Tech Hokies Football Betting Trends

• Virginia Tech is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
• Virginia Tech is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games.
• The total has gone UNDER in five of Virginia Tech’s last six games.

Tennessee Volunteers Betting Trends

• Tennessee is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games.
• Tennessee is 4-1 SU in its last five games.
• The total has gone OVER in four of Tennessee’s last five games.
• The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Tennessee’s last 23 games.