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Virginia kicks off ACC play at home against Stanford
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The Virginia Cavaliers open their conference slate Saturday night when they host the Stanford Cardinal in Charlottesville. Virginia (2-1) rides high after a record-breaking win against William & Mary, while Stanford (1-2) enters off a gritty league victory over Boston College. With ACC implications on the line, both teams will lean on emerging stars to set the tone in this first-time matchup, giving bettors intriguing angles for college football picks.
Betting Odds and Trends
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | -9.5 (-110) | -370 | Over 52.5 (-110) |
| Stanford | +9.5 (-110) | +290 | Under 52.5 (-110) |
The Virginia Cavaliers Can Win If…
The Virginia Cavaliers showed their offensive ceiling in a 55-16 rout of William & Mary, piling up a school-record 700 yards of offense. Quarterback Chandler Morris has been accurate, completing nearly 70% of his passes for 670 yards and four touchdowns. If Morris stays efficient and avoids turnovers, Virginia’s offense should keep Stanford’s defense under pressure.
The ground game has been just as important. J’Mari Taylor leads with 213 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while Harrison Waylee has chipped in four scores. With four Cavaliers over 100 yards rushing, their depth at running back makes them difficult to scheme against. If Virginia establishes its rushing attack early, it can control tempo and wear down Stanford.
Defensively, Virginia must focus on containing Micah Ford, Stanford’s breakout back. If the Cavaliers’ front seven wins the line of scrimmage and forces Stanford quarterback Ben Gulbranson into passing downs, they’ll have the upper hand.
The Stanford Cardinal Can Win If…
The Stanford Cardinal leaned on Micah Ford last week in a 30-20 win over Boston College. Ford rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown, earning ACC Running Back of the Week honors. If Stanford’s offensive line opens similar lanes, Ford’s power running could help them control clock and keep Virginia’s offense off the field.
Quarterback Ben Gulbranson will need to improve his efficiency. He has just one touchdown against three interceptions and a 53.6% completion rate this season. If Gulbranson can limit turnovers and connect on play-action passes, Stanford’s offense will be more balanced and less predictable.
Defensively, the Cardinal must build on last week’s effort, when they limited Boston College’s passing attack to under 200 yards. Applying consistent pressure on Morris and disrupting Virginia’s timing routes will be critical. If they can force the Cavaliers into mistakes, Stanford has the potential to keep this game close.
The Lean
Virginia comes in as a 9.5-point favorite, reflecting its explosive offensive potential and strong home-field advantage. Stanford, while physical, has struggled to keep pace against more balanced opponents. The Cavaliers’ depth in both the run and pass game should give them a clear edge.
The total is set at 52.5, and both teams have shown they can produce points. Virginia’s record-setting offensive performance combined with Stanford’s ability to generate rushing yards makes the over the lean here. A projected score of 34-21 Virginia points to the Cavaliers covering and the total going just over.
Game Preview Recap
Virginia coach Tony Elliott emphasized the importance of winning the conference opener, calling it the team’s “second goal” after taking the season opener. The Cavaliers’ offense has been balanced and explosive, with Morris spreading the ball efficiently and a deep backfield powering the ground game.
Stanford coach Frank Reich returns to Virginia, where he once led Maryland to a comeback victory in 1984. Now in his first year guiding the Cardinal, Reich is trying to instill consistency in an offense that has relied heavily on Ford’s rushing production. Gulbranson’s decision-making remains a concern, but the defense showed progress against Boston College.
This is the first-ever meeting between the programs, adding to the intrigue. Virginia will look to continue its offensive surge, while Stanford hopes its physical rushing attack can keep the Cavaliers from running away with it.
