The Virginia Tech Hokies and Vanderbilt Commodores face off at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday in Week 1 of college football. Here’s a prediction for Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech. This article contains picks for Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech.

Betting Preview for Virginia Tech Hokies

The Virginia Tech Hokies are coming off a seven-win season and are entering their third year under coach Brent Pry. Kyron Drones returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Bhayshul Tuten returns at running back after leading the Hokies with 863 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Virginia Tech returns its entire offensive line and good receivers Da’Quan Felton, Ali Jennings and Stephen Gosnell.

On defense, Keli Lawson returns after leading the Hokies with 80 tackles, Antwaun Powell-Ryland had 9.5 sacks and Dorian Strong had 3 interceptions. The ACC is a strong, improved conference, so we can’t get too ahead of ourselves with our expectations, but there is enough returning power for Virginia Tech to be an above-average team this season.

Betting Preview for the Vanderbilt Commodores

The Vanderbilt Commodores have won two or fewer games in three of their last four seasons and are entering their fourth year under coach Clark Lea. Vanderbilt has not reached a bowl game since the 2018 season. Vanderbilt has a new quarterback in Diego Pavia, who transferred from New Mexico State and was the 2023 C-USA OPOY and has 39 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing touchdowns in his career. Leading rusher Sedrick Alexander is back after 371 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Vanderbilt will need to find receivers with its top three pass catchers no longer on the roster.

On defense, Langston Patterson returns after leading Vanderbilt with 74 tackles, CJ Taylor had 3 sacks and De’Rickey Wright had 2 interceptions. Vanderbilt has never had the depth to seriously compete in the SEC and this program has been a mess the last couple of seasons. However, the Commodores will be worth watching with a playmaker at quarterback for the first time since perhaps the days of Jordan Rodgers.

Why the Virginia Tech Hokies will win

• Vanderbilt has lost each of its last ten games.
• The favorite has won 17 of Vanderbilt’s last 18 games at FirstBank Stadium.
• Vanderbilt has failed to cover the spread in any of its last 10 games against teams not ranked in the AP.
• The favorite has covered the spread in six of Virginia Tech’s last seven games.
• Vanderbilt has lost the first half in each of its last four games against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents.

Facts about the total score

• In each of Vanderbilt’s last ten games against non-conference opponents, the point total has been EXCEEDED.
• In each of Virginia Tech’s last five games as a favorite, the total points have been exceeded.

Facts about the game/league

• Vanderbilt ranked 13th among FBS teams last season with 9.7 points per game in the fourth quarter.
• Vanderbilt suffered the most losses of any FBS team last season (9), by a margin of 15+ points.
• Virginia Tech ranked 10th among FBS teams in second-quarter winning percentage (.692) last season.
• Virginia Tech ranked 11th among FBS teams in fourth-quarter points allowed per game last season (4.2).

Prediction for Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech clearly has the better roster, and we’ve seen Vanderbilt get slapped in the face over the last few seasons. It would be natural for Vanderbilt to buckle like a dog against a talented, physical Hokies team. Until proven otherwise, there’s nothing to like about Vanderbilt. However, Vanderbilt has a playmaker at quarterback in Diego Pavia, and sometimes that’s all you need. Pavia was a baller at New Mexico State last season and has the potential to do quite a bit with the Commodores. At least when it comes to Vanderbilt’s offense, you should be optimistic.

Virginia Tech is also 5-9 ATS in its last 14 games, making it a double-digit favorite. Give me Vanderbilt and the free touchdowns.