Virginia Tech travels to face SMU on Friday night in a critical Atlantic Coast Conference matchup where both teams desperately need a victory to remain in contention for the ACC Championship game. SMU, currently 6-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play, is a six-point favorite at home.
The stakes are high for both the Mustangs and the Hokies (6-2, 3-2 ACC), as a loss would significantly diminish their chances of reaching the ACC Championship. SMU's recent 28-21 loss to Syracuse, despite out-gaining their opponent, highlighted issues with turnovers and penalties that allowed Syracuse to capitalize. This pattern of close games, including a narrow win against Florida State where they were outplayed statistically, has plagued the Mustangs throughout the season.
Despite these struggles, SMU boasts impressive statistics, ranking 19th nationally in yards per play and allowing a stingy 4.8 yards per play. However, their inability to play a cleaner game has hindered their potential.
Virginia Tech, coming off a bye week, is also in a similar position. Head coach James Franklin has guided the Hokies effectively this season, and they possess the capability to compete with SMU, especially with the advantage of added rest. The New York Post's betting preview suggests that despite SMU's statistical advantages, Virginia Tech's ability to stay competitive makes an upset a viable option. The prediction favors playing the upset with Virginia Tech on the moneyline at +185.
