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Virginia Tech vs. Old Dominion
Point-Spread: Va Tech -6.5
O/U Total: 48.5
Implied Score: Va Tech 27.5 – ODU 21
Weather: 81 degrees / 0% rain / 9 mph winds
Virginia Tech:
Top Play(s) – QB Grant Wells ($8,000) A ton of uncertainty here with a first-time play-caller in Tyler Bowen at OC and a roster that returns just 50% of their offensive production from a year ago. Can’t believe I’m saying this, but Wells is probably the best option for the Hokies because we know the ball will be in his hands on most occasions. We cannot say that about any other position. With both Brent Pry (HC) and Tyler Bowen (OC) coming over from Penn State, expect the offense to rival what we saw from the Nittany Lions. That means an emphasis on the pass where Penn State averaged 33 att/g.
Fade – WR Jadan Blue ($6,100) We originally thought the Temple transfer would wind up as a starter, but a fall camp injury has forced him to be listed as a backup on the depth chart. Blue has shown he can be productive with 169 career receptions, and probably ends up a starter by season’s end, but we’ll fade at pricing.
Bargain Bin – TE Nick Gallo ($3,000) Solid player that has been overshadowed by James Mitchell over the last few seasons. Somewhat of a mystery as to how tight ends will be utilized in this scheme, as is much of the offense if being honest, but the position was often targeted during Bowen’s time at Penn State. TE1 averaged 31 receptions per year in three seasons. Not to mention Bowen was a tight ends coach previously.
Pivot Play – WR Kaleb Smith ($6,900) Smith has never been more than a WR3 during his seasons with the Hokies. In 13 games with 11 starts, Smith accumulated just 20 receptions in 2021. But there’s definitely been noise surrounding him this offseason, from his representation at ACC Media Days to repeated mentions in camp reports. Does that translate to better performances on the field?
Best of the Rest – RB Jalen Holston ($6,300) The running game was brutal during spring ball as the Hokies return just a single starter along the offensive line, so I’ll take a wait-and-see approach here with Holston, even in favorable matchup. WR Da’Wain Lofton ($4,900) is actually our highest-rated receiver according to projections and is a former 4-star recruit. Him being listed as the starter in the slot is likely related to Blue’s injury during camp, though, and not that Lofton truly won the job. ***UPDATE – Holston is now questionable for Friday.
Injury Notes – RB Malachi Thomas ($5,900) is OUT and will be week-to-week with an ankle injury.
Old Dominion:
Top Play(s) – RB Blake Watson ($4,000) Someone screwed up the algorithm at ole DraftKings because we have a 1,000-yard rusher listed at $4k. I can see pivoting because ownership will be so high, but this is essentially a free square in your lineup, similar to what Omarion Hampton was if you played in Week 0. Last six games of 2021, ODU totaled over 400 yards of offense five times, averaging 5.66 yards per play which was significant improvement over the first half of the year. Watson topped the century mark in rushing yards six times last year and will be behind an OL that returns four starters.
Fade – n/a Now that I’m looking further, they’ve underpriced everyone on the Old Dominion side so all of the familiar names are in play here.
Bargain Bin – QB Hayden Wolff ($5,100) Not the biggest fan of Wolff, but he’s too cheap to ignore. From reading up on Virginia Tech, they are not expected to have a great pass rush this season and will have to bring extra blitzers to generate pressure. Could leave open some opportunities for Wolff and this passing game. Wolff was a big reason why for the significant improvements on offense in 2021, throwing for 280 yards or more in four of the last six games.
Pivot Play – Anyone pass-catchers outside of Zack Kuntz ($3,600) or Ali Jennings ($5,000) The two star weapons for ODU combined for 53% of the target share last season. Aside from throwing it to Watson out of the backfield, no other receivers were worth a damn in this offense beyond the Big 3.
Best of the Rest – WR Jordan Bly ($3,200) and WR Javon Harvey ($3,300) are the listed starters at receiver beyond Jennings. Can’t say I know much about either player and the WR2/WR3 combined for just 33 receptions in 2021.
Injury Notes – n/a
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