On Monday night Week One will wrap up with an outstanding matchup of ranked Atlantic Coast Conference teams as the Florida State Seminoles will host the Virginia Tech Hokies. The game marks the debut of new Florida State head coach Willie Taggart who arrives after the ugly departure of Jimbo Fisher to the riches of Texas A&M. The Seminoles were sluggish at the finish of 2017 as everyone knew that Fisher wanted out of town. FSU’s 7-6 finish capped off a stunning fall from the national championship of 2013. For Virginia Tech they are trying to build upon a new foundation under third year coach Justin Fuente who arrived with much fanfare and has posted 10 and nine-win seasons while stepping up recruiting.
This matchup in Week 1 will take place on Monday, September 3, 2018, at 8 p.m. ET at Doak Campbell Stadium. ESPN is providing the telecast of this game.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Virginia Tech +7.5
Florida State -7.5
Over/Under 57
Odds Analysis
The line opened with Florida State as a 5.5-point favorite with early betting on the Seminoles winning their first ever game for Taggart in from of their home fans. There is also the belief that FSU staring quarterback Deondre Francois is the right choice after he missed last year due to injury.
Players to Watch
A big reason for Florida State’s downfall last year was the injury to starting quarterback Deondre Francois. Francois had to battle his replacement, James Blackman, for the starting job in fall camp and won it back. Francois was the 2016 ACC Rookie of the Year when Florida State finished 10-3 with a final ranking of eighth in the country. That season Francois passed for a 59% completion rate good for 3350 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions. When he went down to injury on opening day last year the Seminoles and Fisher were never the same.
Josh Jackson impressed all as the freshman quarterback of Virginia Tech last year as he passed for 2991 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Despite fading down the stretch Jackson’s first year was a considerable success.
Up Temp Taggart
On thing that has Florida State fans truly excited is the up-tempo attack that Taggart brings to the job. Fisher’s pro attack was seen as stale and plodding at the end. The Seminoles will also play a more aggressive attack style defense. Taggart has gotten a full buy in from the players and enthusiasm has picked up considerably from last year. Last year in his only season as Oregon head coach Taggart’s offense ranked 12th nationally for rushing yardage with his South Florida teams ranking in the top ten for rushing in his final two seasons of 2015 and 2016.
Matchup to Watch
Virginia Tech will have its systems in place while the Seminoles will be learning new schemes on both sides of the line. Josh Jackson may be the respected quarterback of the Hokies but the problem is that he lacks playmakers around him. Meanwhile Francois has an immediate helping hand in Cam Akers, who ran for 1024 yards last year as a freshman. The famed Bud Foster continues to coordinate the Virginia Tech defense but the unit must replace six starters. The unit was one of the best last year and will be good again, due to Fuentes strong recruiting, just perhaps not at a dominant level.
Key Trends
Virginia Tech has covered six of their last eight as a road dog with four of their last five in that role going under the total. Florida Sate has lost six of their last 10 as home chalks with five of their last eight in that role going under the total.
Free ATS Pick
Virginia Tech is the most established program and system. The number is big enough that they should stay within the 7.5. And the Hokies are proven values as road dogs. Josh Jackson will be even better at quarterback for Va-Tech. Certainty an upset would shock few if any.
College Football Odds: Virginia Tech 20, Florida State 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!
