The Pirates started the season with wins over West Carolina and NC State, but fell to South Carolina last week. That loss helped show East Carolina isn’t ready to compete with the big boys and it will be a significant underdog.
Virginia Tech has designs of being a force in ACC play, and needs to win this one comfortable to be considered a factor.
This contest in Week 4 of the regular season will go down Saturday, September 24, 2016, at 12:30 p.m. ET at Lane Stadium.
NCAA Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
East Carolina +11
Virginia Tech -11
Over/Under 56
Odds Analysis
Virginia Tech is the more talented team and has the home field advantage, so it’s no surprise to see the Hokies as double-digit favorites. More than 67 percent of the bettors are backing them currently and that is the right call.
The more common choice on the scoring total thus far has been the “over” as gamblers forecast more points than expected.
Player to Watch
Isaiah Ford -- The Virginia Tech wideout is one of the most explosive players on the team. He has 20 catches for 259 yards and three touchdowns already on the season and will try to find holes in the East Carolina secondary.
Ford had a breakout season last year, amassing 1,164 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns, and is off to a nice start. He had the third multi-touchdown game of his career in last week’s blowout of Boston College and must be corralled for the Pirates to hang in this one.
Ford has amassed more than 90 yards receiving in four of his past five games dating back to last season and is a consistent presence out wide.
Key stat
10. The number of times Virginia Tech has turned over the ball the season. Nine of those turnovers —
all lost fumbles — came in the first two games and five were against Tennessee.
The Hokies offense did a much better job at holding onto the ball last week, only committing a single turnover, an interception by Jerod Evans.
Ball security is important for any team, but it will definitely remain an area of focus for Virginia Tech this season considering the shaky start.
Free ATS Pick
East Carolina is looking to get back in the winning column after suffering its first loss of the season last week to South Carolina. Normally that wouldn’t be considered too big of a blow against a major conference foe, but the Gamecocks aren’t expected to be very good this year.
Quarterback Philip Nelson has thrown for 1,095 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Nelson threw for 400 yards last week, but was sacked four times and also threw two interceptions in the 20-15 loss.
He is looking to make the most of his fresh start at East Carolina after the former Minnesota starter was dismissed from the team for his involvement of a nightclub fight.
He has favored Zay Jones so far this season in the passing game, as Jones has 39 receptions for 443 yards in the first three games. The run game has been spearheaded by Anthony Scott and James Summers, who have combined for 416 yard and four touchdowns so far this season.
Virginia Tech defeated Liberty handily in its season opener, but fell 45-24 to Tennessee in Week 2. The Hokies rebounded in style last week, and if Virginia Tech can adequately handle Nelson, it should be able to pick up a wire-to-wire victory.
NCAA Football Odds: Virginia Tech 34, East Carolina 20
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!