Virginia Tech Hokies vs Kentucky Wildcats Picks, Odds, Belk Bowl Prediction 12/31/2019

Game: Virginia Tech Hokies vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Belk Bowl

Location: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Kentucky -2

Total/Over-Under: 55

Hendon Hooker and the Virginia Tech Hokies are headed to Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday, December 31 where they'll meet the Kentucky Wildcats in the Belk Bowl. Virginia Tech opens this matchup as 2-point underdogs. The Hokies are 6-6-0 ATS and 5-7-0 when betting on the total. The Wildcats are 6-6-0 when wagering on the over/under and 9-3-0 against the spread.

In their last game, the Virginia Tech Hokies took on the Virginia Cavaliers and lost 39-30. Running the show from under center for the Hokies was Hendon Hooker who went 18/30 with 311 yards passing and threw 1 TD. He threw 2 picks on the day. Deshawn McClease paced the team in rushing in the game. He tore off a long run of 22 yards and he ran for 1 TD for the game. He racked up a total of 86 yards via 16 carries which means he ran for an average of 5.4 yards per tote. Tre Turner was the leader in receiving yardage with a tally of 134 yards on 7 receptions. He averaged 19.1 yards per catch in the game. The Hokies ran the ball a total of 45 times and totaled 172 yards which gave them an average of 3.8 yards per rushing attempt. On the day, the Hokies totaled 25 first downs and they had a total of 8 penalties for 67 yards which is telling in terms of discipline. In the game, they finished with a total of 75 plays for a total of 483 yards. When it comes to their defensive performance, Virginia Tech conceded 20 completions on 33 attempts for a total of 311 yards, and a completion percentage of 60.6%. Against the run, the Hokies conceded 181 yards on 25 tries which is an average of 7.2 yards per run allowed. On the day, they gave up a total of 492 yards and forced 1 takeaway.

The Hokies head into this matchup 8-4 this year. For total yards, they are currently ranked 9th in the ACC and 84th in D-1 with 4,684 yards. They are one of top scoring teams in the nation averaging 30.9 points per contest, ranking them 53rd in D-1. As a unit, they are averaging 172.9 yards on the ground per game which is 6th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Hokies have one of the middle tier defenses in the country, giving up 23.7 points per game putting them 4th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. When it comes to passing yards, the Hokies have conceded 2,608 yards. Teams are completing 54.6% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. In terms of yards rushing, Virginia Tech is giving up 123.4 yards per game putting them 4th in the conference and 27th in D-1. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.7 yards per carry putting them 6th in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 30th in D-1 overall. Overall, they have conceded 1,481 rushing yards through 12 contests.

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In their last outing, the Kentucky Wildcats played the Louisville Cardinals and notched a win by a score of 45-13. Lynn Bowden Jr. led the team on the ground in the game. He had a long run of 60 yards and he tallied 4 TD's for the game. He ran for 284 yards on 22 carries which meant he averaged 12.9 yards per carry. Clevan Thomas Jr. was the leader in receiving yardage with a tally of 24 yards on 2 receptions. He earned an average of 12.0 yards per reception in the game. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Wildcats was Lynn Bowden Jr. who went 1/2 with 4 yards through the air but wasn't able to throw a ball for a TD. He ended the game with no interceptions. The Wildcats ended up rushing 40 times and earned 517 yards earning them an average of 12.9 yards per attempt. Overall, they finished with a total of 42 plays which gave them a total of 521 yards. Overall, the Wildcats got 16 first downs and they totaled 2 penalties for 15 yards which is telling of the great week of practice this squad had. When it comes to their defensive performance, Kentucky gave up 10 catches on 19 tries for a total of 109 yards, and a completion percentage of 52.6%. Overall, they gave up 318 yards and forced 2 takeaways. On the ground, the Wildcats gave up 209 yards on 51 attempts which is an average of 4.1 yards per rushing attempt allowed.

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The Wildcats step onto the field holding a record of 7-5. Kentucky has shown the nation they have a formidable rushing attack by averaging 274.8 yards on the ground per contest, which has them at 4th in the country. As a unit, they have a total of 3,298 yards rushing through 12 games, so they'll look to continue their dominance on the ground to grind out wins. The Wildcats average 391.8 yards per game overall putting them 81st in the country and 9th in the SEC. The Wildcats are allowing 18.4 points per game ranking them 3rd in the conference and 12th in D-1. When it comes to points allowed, they have allowed 221 total points. When it comes to rushing yards, they are conceding 151.3 yards per contest ranking them 61st in the nation and 11th in the SEC. This season, they have given up a total of 1,816 yards rushing and 20.4 rushing TDs. Their pass defense is one of the top units in college football. They are allowing 172.7 passing yards per game. For passing yards allowed per game, the Wildcats sit in 1st in the SEC.

Who will win tonight's Hokies/Wildcats college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Wildcats -2

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