Orange Bowl Preview: Virginia Tech, Cincinnati Fight for BCS Respectability

Orange Bowl
Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech

Jan 1 8 PM Fox
Miami, FL

Line: Cincinnati -2.5

Overview

The Bearcats and Hokies take the stage on New Years night in the FedEx Orange Bowl representing the Big East and ACC as their respective conference champions. This is Cincinnati's first BCS bowl game while Va Tech is playing in their second straight Orange Bowl after winning their third ACC title in four seasons.

Keys to the Game

1. Play Making of Tyrod Taylor

As Tyrod Taylor goes, so goes Virginia Tech's offense. Taylor is a special talent at QB that can make you pay with his feet. When Taylor is given room to run he has burned teams this year. If Taylor is hitting early on his passes it will loosen up the defense for QB scrambles.

2. Turnovers

Cincinnati is surprisingly -.38 in turnover margin this year considering their 11-2 record. Virginia Tech's defense has forced 30 turnovers on the season and is +.85 ranking 16th nationally. In the Bearcats worst loss of the season vs UConn they turned the ball over 6 times.

Motivation

Virginia Tech is carrying the mantle of the ACC in this game and wants to redeem their own loss in last year's game to Kansas. Cincinnati is playing for the best season in the modern era. I give Va Tech the slight motivation edge based on wanting to redeem last year's performance.

Prediction

Despite being the least hyped of all the BCS bowls, this one could be the closest margin. I don't like Cincy's turnover margin and think the Hokies special teams will make the difference in the upset.

Virginia Tech 20, Cincinnati 17

Virginia Tech Covers +2.5

Bowls: 3-5 ATS, 3-5 SU
Season: 34-35-3 ATS, 44-28 SU

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