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Virginia Tech Hokies vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Preview
The Virginia Tech Hokies welcome the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Saturday in Blacksburg. Interim head coach Philip Montgomery is 2-0 since taking over for Brent Pry, and his exuberant locker room celebration has become a viral symbol of renewed energy. The Hokies (2-3, 1-0 ACC) are riding that momentum after a gritty 23–21 upset of NC State, highlighted by strong performances from RB Terion Stewart (174 rushing yards) and QB Kyron Drones (177 passing yards, 2 TDs). Wake Forest (2-2, 0-2) enters off a crushing 30–29 home OT loss to Georgia Tech, during which they squandered a 17-point lead. QB Robby Ashford threw for 219 yards and ran for 82, while RB Demond Claiborne added 119 rushing yards and 2 TDs. This will be Wake’s first true road test of the year, and Coach Jake Dickert warns of the crowd and energy in Blacksburg.
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Opening line: Virginia Tech -8.5, total 46.5.
Virginia Tech’s new energy under interim coach Philip Montgomery will be tested against Wake Forest, with momentum swings a key factor highlighted in Week 6 college football predictions.
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Line Movement and Odds
- Spread: Virginia Tech -8.5
- Moneyline: Virginia Tech –460, Wake Forest +370
- Total: 46.5 (Over –108 / Under –112)
The market opened near -9 and has settled a touch lower as bettors test Wake +8.5. Most early money is landing on the Hokies, especially at home. The total is moderate — some sharp bettors are shading under, expecting fewer big plays in a more physical, grounded game.
Key observations:
- VT’s offense showed balance with a strong ground game from Stewart.
- Drones continues to take care of the ball — no turnovers in the NC State win.
- Wake’s offense is explosive, but their defensive lapses in second halves must be fixed.
- The road environment at Blacksburg will test Wake’s poise.
Matchup Breakdown
Virginia Tech Hokies Outlook
Momentum and confidence are back in Blacksburg. Montgomery’s players are playing loose, physical, and with joy. Stewart’s breakout game gives the offense a real run/throw balance, forcing defenses to stay honest. Drones remains a steady hand. Defensively, the Hokies must protect late leads and keep Wake from lining up 2-point conversions. Home crowd energy should give them an edge.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Outlook
Wake enters needing to reset after a gut-punch loss. Ashford gives them dual-threat potential, and Claiborne has shown big-play ability on the ground. On the road, though, consistency will matter. Wake must limit mental mistakes, 3rd-down breakdowns, and second-half meltdowns. If they can keep it close into the fourth, their offense may force VT into mistakes.
Key Battle: Ground game control and 3rd-down defense
If Virginia Tech can establish the run with Stewart, Wake must honor it and risk keeping Ashford in manageable 3rd-down passing situations. Conversely, Wake must pressure Drones, force earlier third downs, and convert in key spots. Whoever wins the line of scrimmage and third-down battle controls tempo.
Injuries and Conditions
- Virginia Tech: No major new injuries reported
- Wake Forest: No major new injuries reported
Weather: Expect cool evening conditions, potential wind later in the game. Minimal precipitation (check pregame for updates).
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Primetime games, however, demand a different approach. The standalone spotlight of Sunday evenings always attracts heavier betting volume, which makes line movement worth watching closely. That’s why the Sunday Night Football odds and predictions breakdown is a valuable tool. It provides bettors with a clear picture of how oddsmakers are adjusting and where the betting action is flowing before kickoff.
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Best Bets and Prediction
Virginia Tech has the home crowd, momentum, and renewed energy. Wake Forest’s offense can make noise, but consistency issues and road adversity likely catch up. Lean VT, but expect a gritty, physical game and a slower pace.
- Pick: Virginia Tech -8.5
- Projected Score: Virginia Tech 27, Wake Forest 17
- Secondary lean: Under 46.5
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| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best Bet | Virginia Tech -8.5 |
| Confidence | ★★★★☆ |
| Projected Score | Virginia Tech 27, Wake Forest 17 |
| Total Lean | Under 46.5 |
| Market Split | ~70% of bets on Virginia Tech; Under gaining traction |
Handicappers and Picks
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