UT vs VTECH ESPN and CFN predictions

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Virginia Tech Hokies (+11.5) vs. Tennessee Volunteers

PickCenter

Fallica: It could serve as a blessing in disguise for Tennessee that the Vols struggled in their opener. Coach Butch Jones has all the material he needs to show the team how much it needs to improve and that the offseason press clippings can be shredded. But at the same time, a lot of the questions I had about Tennessee entering the season still remain true. Can Josh Dobbs and this wide receiver group stretch the field? Is the offensive line good enough? If the Vols couldn't control the line of scrimmage against Appalachian State, how will they fare against the Hokies?

I also love Virginia Tech's offensive skill players; Bucky Hodges and Isaiah Ford in particular could be matchup problems for the Vols, and the Hokies are deep at running back. I don't know if it will result in an outright win for Virginia Tech, but I certainly think taking the points is the way to go.

ATS pick: Tennessee 26, Virginia Tech 24

Coughlin: One can only imagine what practice must have been like for the Vols after their less-than-impressive Week 1 win at home versus Appalachian State. It honestly looked like Tennessee's staff held back from installing any quarterback zone read runs, maybe thinking because it didn't need them versus an underrated Appalachian State team. But the fact is that all those returning starters on the lines of scrimmage for Jones' squad were dominated by an FCS team. Hokies coach Bud Foster is surely loving the film of the UT game last week -- seeing a lack of physicality by the offensive line and a lack of a deep threat in the passing game.

Knowing how successful Foster has been in years past, I think the Hokies keep this game close and lose a tight one to Tennessee, as Vols quarterback Joshua Dobbs and company win a big game.

ATS pick: Tennessee 24, Virginia Tech 20

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Why Tennessee Will Win

Tennessee was obviously playing it close to the vest against Appalachian State and didn’t want to show much of anything for Virginia Tech, right? That would at least make a little bit of sense for a team this experienced and this talented.

But give the Vols this – they got the win. It might have taken a minor miracle, and it might have been ugly, but they won a tight game when nothing was going right. Maybe, just maybe, those were the first week kinks everyone wants to work out.

Yeah, Virginia Tech has plenty of options to play around with offensively, but Tennessee isn’t Liberty. The Hokies didn’t get too many big plays out of the running backs and weren’t able to break free. The Vol linebackers had an okay game against ASU, but they should be stars this week – they’ve got to make plays in space.

Can Joshua Dobbs bounceback after a rough first game? He was all over the place in the opener, but there’s a chance he gets enough time to work to be sharper this week. Virginia Tech’s pass rush wasn’t there against Liberty – the Vol O line has to keep its quarterback clean.

What’s Going To Happen?

How will everyone handle the bizarre environment and strange circumstances? Both teams are going to be charged up and motivated, but the Vols will play with a little extra push. They’re not going to rise up and blowout a good Hokie team with Isaiah Ford and the receiving corps to stick around making several big plays deep, but they’ll play better, sharper, and be more physical for the ground attack. Virginia Tech can ball a little, too – it’ll keep it close in the second half with a good day from Evans.

Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech Prediction

Final Score: Tennessee 31, Virginia Tech 23

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