Virginia Tech Hokies (10-1) (4-1 H) vs Michigan Wolverines (10-2) (2-2 A)
Game Time: 8:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, January 3
SUPERDOME
* Michigan -3/51'...1H 1'/25...opened at 1'...rose to 3 before going back to 2 or so...now settled in at 3 most places
77% on UM...54% on UM ML..84% on the OVER
* Beamer is 8-10 SU/ATS in bowls (2-3 L5)...Michigan has lost 5 of last 6 bowls...(HC Hoke 1-1 SU/ATS at Ball St and SDSU)
*UM with the stronger schedule...with wins over NDame...Nebraska and Ohio St at home...and road wins/covers at Illinois and NW > losses at Mich St and Iowa
Hokies winning over Miami and N Caro at home..and Ga Tech and Virginia on the road...only 2 losses to Clemson
Hokies start 8 Srs...and 10 Fr/Soph...(including 7 Soph + 1 Fr on D !!)...on DL 7/8 in 2 deep are Fr/Soph
UM start 9 Srs...17 starters are Jr/Sr..2 Soph on O / 3 on D
* UM fairly healthy...(st DT out)...VT with injuries on D....3 starters are out (have been most of year)...including best def player > LB Taylor
Hokies are also without top 2 kickers...
These 2 not far apart...line value probably with Hokies..game maybe should be closer to pick 'em
UM with the slightly stronger O...Hokies the (not by as much as you might think) stronger D
Hokies are very young on D...and although strong as usual...will have a very tough time keeping DR contained...
NOTE> the main goal at times it seemed of Michigan O..was to keep DR healthy (limiting his number of carries)...no need to do that here..so a monster (2010 like) game is not out of the question....
as Michigan REALLY needs to keep the MO going ...(especially after 52-14 bowl loss LY)..remember they were learning a TOTALLY new O....so the extra practices should help...
Hokies have (much more) talent offensively than they have shown at times..Great RB and very good WR group... plus very talented QB.....combined with one of their best OL's in awhile..If Michigan can't get some pressure (#27 in sacks)...they can get hurt...as secondary vulnerable...(back 7 the D weakness)
NOTE > UM D IS much improved..facing the nation's 36th toughest schedule of O's...they allowed 5.17 y/play..and 323/g....Hokies faced the 42nd toughest (O's) > allowed 5.05/319 yds....Mich D also #7 in fewest points allowed
Hokie ST not anywhere near their norm (#73 with K)...UM's weak at #94...punt coverage esp weak
* look for Va Tech to jump out to an early lead (last played 12/3)...and more used to big stage
Michigan to press a little early....and a little rusty (last played 11/26)...but Michigan should be able to take charge late...and win a tough / high scoring contest
** Solid play OVER 51'...strong lean Michigan -3
Hokies +1'...or ML better for 1H not bad...1H UNDER 25 maybe good one also...if down look for Michigan to come back in 2H...(play I will be ready to HAMMER)....along with the 2H Over ...
best of luck boys........