After both teams suffered heartbreaking upsets in their season openers, the matchup between the Boston College Eagles and the Virginia Tech Hokies will be the make-or-break factor for the teams. One team will leave the Hokies’ Lane Stadium with a redemption win, and one will end the night with another loss to start the season 0-2. Just a few hours remain until the game kicks off on ACC Network at 8:00 PM EST, so let’s take a look at the two teams fighting for a rebound victory.
Predictions and Gambling Odds
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index Virginia Tech is predicted to win by a slim margin of just 2.4%, with odds favoring the Hokies 51.2%-48.8%. Both teams place last in their respective divisions with a record of 0-1. Ceaser’s Sportsbook marks the spread at -2.5 in favor of Virginia Tech and the over-under at 45 points. Moneyline will reward bettors with $126 per $100 they bet on the Eagles, and just $67 per $100 placed on the Hokies.
Players To Look Out For
Zay Flowers
Regardless of the score Flowers put on the game of a lifetime last week, taking in 10 receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns, including an absolutely spectacular catch that stunned the entire Scarlet Knight defense. His performance tonight will continue to demonstrate his immense athleticism and football IQ.
Keshawn King
King made huge strides over the offseason and was practically unrecognizable in his performance in last week’s season opener against Old Dominion. He carried the ball 19 times for 111 yards, an all-time best performance, in the Hokies’ loss to the Monarchs. Eagles runningback Pat Garwo III had a tough game last week, running for just 25 yards over 14 carries, and even if he performs better tonight, it will be tough to put up numbers quite as impressive as those of Keshawn King.
Phil Jurkovec
Despite losing to Rutgers in a 22-21 upset last week, star quarterback Phil Jurkovec of the Eagles still managed to go 23 for 41 on completions for 283 yards and put up three impressive throwing touchdowns. Despite having an almost identical completion percentage as Hokies quarterback Grant Wells in last week’s game, Jurkovec still threw for 86 more yards, two more touchdowns, and two fewer interceptions than Wells.
Conditions
Lane stadium’s ryegrass field will be quite soggy for the players tonight after six hours of continuous rain. Wind speeds have averaged six miles per hour throughout the day so far with gusts reaching as much as 15 miles per hour. The temperature will drop to around 64 degrees Fahrenheit by kickoff.