We've got an old-school Big East football matchup on tap on Saturday, as the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-1) will host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0). Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.
The Knights are 2-0 after taking care of business against Howard and Akron.
Meanwhile, the Hokies have rebounded nicely after being embarrassed in Week 1 against the Ponzi scheme of Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt. They were expected to be a dark horse in the ACC entering the season, and those hopes are alive and well if they take care of business here.
Oddsmakers make Virginia Tech 3.5-point favorites, and the total is 44.5. Let's go ahead and break down my Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech predictions and college football picks for Saturday, Sept. 21.
Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Prediction
- Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Pick: Under 44.5 | Play to 42.5
My Rutgers-Virginia Tech best bet is on the under, with the best line currently available at BetMGM, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Odds
| Rutgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -115 | 44.5 -112o / -108u | +130 |
| Virginia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -105 | 44.5 -112o / -108u | -155 |
- Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Point Spread: Rutgers +3.5 (-115) · Virginia Tech -3.5 (-105)
- Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Total: Over/Under 44.5 (-112o / -108u)
- Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Moneyline: Rutgers +130 · Virginia Tech -155
Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Preview
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Preview: Is the Data Skewed?
If you look at some offensive metrics, you would've thought the 2019 LSU Tigers were playing for Greg Schiano's team. The Knights rank top-25 in the following offensive categories:
- Rush Success Rate
- Pass Success Rate
- Havoc
- Finishing Drives
- Quality Drives
These two games were against Howard and Akron, so I put little stock into the offense as of right now. I know that RB Kyle Monangai has been a man possessed in the backfield though.
Monangai is averaging over seven yards per carry thus far and faces a Hokies defense that is 78th in line yards. Their defensive line is not providing them a lift, so I believe that the Knights should run all over the Hokies.
The Knights' defense concerns me, as they rank outside the top 80 in line yards and passing success rate. Granted, these statistics were compiled against bad teams.
The secondary has been elite, but it is nothing to be impressed about. They have held their opponents out of the endzone whenever they pass the 40-yard line.
Rutgers is 55th in PFF Tackling and 13th in coverage. Special teams are also a strength, so I expect this unit, in particular, to keep the game within striking distance.
The Knights lack data against a solid FBS schedule, so I am not ready to back them yet.
Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Preview: Having a Hard Time Offensively
Quarterback Kyron Drones completed 63% of his passes in 2024 and was a candidate to be one of the most improved quarterbacks in the ACC entering the year. Drones isn't quite there yet, but his skillset makes him an exciting player to watch moving forward.
Virginia Tech has had a stronger schedule than the Knights thus far, but it is 102nd in passing success rate and 109th in Havoc allowed.
The Knights' defensive front might take a big advantage against the Hokies' up front offensively, but it remains to be seen if they have the chops to contain a respectable program. I don't think VT is going to have as easy a time as many thought it would.
Virginia Tech runs a slow-paced offense, ranking in the middle of the pack in seconds per play. It has yet to get the ground game going, and on paper, it's a tough matchup offensively.
I can't take the Hokies here despite the uncertainty of the legitimacy of the Knights' defensive numbers. I expect the clock to move slowly, but both ground games should contain them.
Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Rutgers and Virginia Tech match up statistically:
Rutgers Offense vs. Virginia Tech Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 6 | 67 | |
| Line Yards | 21 | 78 | |
| Pass Success | 7 | 52 | |
| Havoc | 1 | 19 | |
| Finishing Drives | 19 | 33 | |
| Quality Drives | 17 | 60 | |
Virginia Tech Offense vs. Rutgers Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 77 | 94 | |
| Line Yards | 58 | 83 | |
| Pass Success | 102 | 6 | |
| Havoc | 109 | 72 | |
| Finishing Drives | 58 | 35 | |
| Quality Drives | 75 | 21 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 55 | 104 |
| PFF Coverage | 13 | 64 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 35 | 53 |
| Middle 8 | 60 | 65 |
| Seconds per Play | 28.8 (93) | 28.1 (72) |
| Rush Rate | 66% (12) | 62% (31) |
Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Pick & Prediction
All of my write-ups so far this week have targeted totals, and that is where I show the most value. I like the under at 44.5, which you can snag at BetMGM right now.
Both offenses are pretty slow, but the defenses can step it up. It is all green for the Knights' side of the metrics, but again, these are due to statistics from the Howard and Akron games.
The Knights struggle in games when their QB does the heavy lifting, so Monangai needs a big day to pull off the upset. The stadium should be rocking on Saturday afternoon, and I am far more willing to put faith in these defenses over the offenses.
The Rutgers defense might be a bad unit, but I doubt it's bad enough to roll over completely. The clock should be moving consistently, so a low-scoring game should be in store.
Pick: Under 44.5 (Play to 42.5)
How to Watch Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 21 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ACC Network |
Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Betting Trends
- 73% of the tickets generated and 77% of the money is targeted for Virginia Tech to cover.
- 74% of the bets but 23% of the money is on the over.
- 88% of the tickets and 89% of the money is on Virginia Tech moneyline.
