Virginia Tech vs. Wake Forest: Last-Minute Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Virginia Tech Hokies bounced back strong a week ago, and now they must hit the road to take on a very confident Wake Forest team. 

The Demon Deacons just upset Florida State, and if it weren't for an over time loss in Week 1 Wake Forest would be 5-0 right now. 

The Hokies had another scare last week, but there were a lot of positives to take away from their narrow victory over Miami. 

Virginia Tech and Wake Forest have played each other four times in the last decade, and the Hokies have won every time. Will the Demon Deacons finally get revenge? 

The Hokies haven't really been tested on the road, but they did struggle at times during a couple away games, which is why the Demon Deacons have a strong shot to win on Saturday. 

With that said, let's take a look at some specifics of this ACC showdown. 

When: Saturday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. ET 

Where: Groves Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC

Watch: ESPN3.com

Spread

The Hokies are favored at -7, and while they should win this game, keep in mind that they're 1-5 ATS. The Demon Deacons are playing great football since suffering their first loss of the season, and since the Hokies have struggled this season at times take Wake Forest and the points. 

Key Injuries 

Hokies defensive end James Gayle (ankle) is hopeful he will be able to play on Saturday after being injured a week ago. Linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow (foot) and defensive tackle Luther Maddy (ankle) are questionable for Saturday. 

For Wake Forest, starting quarterback Tanner Price suffered a thigh bruise last week but he is expected to play. Nose guard Nikita Whitlock has a sore back that has caused him to miss some of practice this week, but he should be OK to play on Saturday.

Demon Deacons corner back Dominique Tate will be out for the rest of the season with a torn knee ligament. He injured it during the Boston College game a couple of weeks ago, and it wasn't believed to be very serious at first but unfortunately, it is.  

BCS/Top-25 Implications 

The Hokies need this win to stay in the hunt for first place in the ACC Coastal division, and they can't afford another loss right before the first BCS rankings of 2011 are released. 

Virginia Tech will surely drop from the rankings if they lose this weekend, whereas the Demon Deacons need this win to jump into the top 25. Back-to-back wins over top-25 programs will definitely lift Wake Forest into the polls, a place they haven't seen in a while. 

Keys to Virginia Tech Win 

Logan Thomas had a very impressive game last week against Miami completing 23 out of 25 passes, and throwing for over 300 yard and three touchdowns, which is far better than how he fared the week before against Clemson.

The Hokies need their young quarterback to be on his A-game again Saturday to avoid being one of the big upsets of the weekend. The key is for Thomas to not get flustered on the road, but if he does then it's up to running back David Wilson to make plays in the ground game. And as always, the Hokies must not turn the ball over, or else it could be a very long night. 

Keys to Wake Forest Win 

The Demon Deacons have to forget about the blowout loss last year and remember that they're a better team this season. If they find themselves in a hole, the Demon Deacons cannot panic because it will only lead to turnovers. 

Stopping Thomas and Wilson will be a challenge, but it's one Wake Forest has to take head on. Thomas is a beast of a man at 254 pounds, which is just under the Demon Deacons' heaviest defensive player Nikita Whitlock, who weighs 260 pounds. 

Prediction 

Wake Forest will keep it close, but in the end Virginia Tech will prevail. They're the better team, and it's going to be too difficult for the Demon Deacons to shut down Thomas and Wilson. 

If the Hokies make mistakes, the Demon Deacons have to capitalize on them in order to win this game. I think Virginia Tech will be poised and ready to show the nation that their struggles have only been flukes. 

Virginia Tech 33, Wake Forest 27