Can the Virginia Tech Hokies put Sunday’s season-opening loss behind them on Saturday when they host the Vanderbilt Commodores?
Saturday’s game is a rematch from the 2024 season opener when Vandy shocked the Hokies with a 34-27 win in Nashville. The Commodores jumped on the Hokies early, holding a 17-point lead. However, it appeared Virginia Tech had turned things around in the fourth quarter. First, running back Bhayshul Tuten scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyron Drones to tie
the game at 20.
Later in the quarter, Drones found wide receiver Ali Jennings to give Tech a 27-20 lead with 4:21 remaining. Unfortunately for VT, its defense couldn’t stop Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. The transfer quarterback led a six-play, 70-yard drive, finding Sedrick Alexander for an eight-yard touchdown with 1:51 remaining to tie the game. The Hokies had one more chance in regulation, but three straight incompletions led to a punt and eventually overtime.
Pavia led the Commodores to another score, this time on a four-yard touchdown run. The Hokies could not answer, and Vandy, the big underdog, came away with an impressive season-opening win.
So, which team is favored for Saturday’s rematch in Blacksburg?
Here are the latest betting odds, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Point spread: Hokies -1.5 (-105) / Commodores +1.5 (-115)
- Money line: Hokies -114/ Commodores -105
- Over-under: 47.5 (O: -105 / U: -115)
Both quarterbacks return for each team. Will the Hokies have an answer for Pavia this time around?
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.
