Wake Forest vs Virginia Picks and Predictions: Friday Night Fun

Real recognize real... but are either of these high-octane ACC clubs legit? We give our opinion in our college football picks and predictions for this Friday night matchup — and we're believing a little bit more in what the Deacons are offering.

Sep 24, 2021 • 11:11 ET • 4 min read
Sam Hartman Wake Forest college football
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The Wake Forest Demon Deacons might be in position to make a push in the ACC, while certain other teams struggle, but to keep that hope alive, they will need to get by the Virginia Cavaliers in a tough college football betting spot.

Wake Forest’s offense has yet to be slowed down in the slightest this season, averaging 39.3 points per game, but it will now have to outscore a Virginia offense humming even more efficiently this year, piling up 41.3 points per game.

Between the two of them, Friday night should be entertaining.

Here are our free college football picks and predictions for Wake Forest vs. Virginia on Friday, September 24, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

Wake Forest vs Virginia odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

Virginia hung with North Carolina well enough last week to open as a 4.5-point favorite against Wake Forest, but that ticked down to 3.5 points across the board by midweek, with some books needing perhaps until Thursday to make that move. The total, meanwhile, began the week at 67 and nudged upward to 68.5, understandable given the offenses taking the field Friday. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.

Wake Forest vs Virginia picks

Picks made on 9/24/2021 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

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Wake Forest vs Virginia game info

Location: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA
Date: Friday, September 24, 2021
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN 2

Wake Forest vs Virginia betting preview

Weather

Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.

Key injuries

Wake Forest: Donovan Greene WR (Out), Chase Monroe LB (Out), Je’Vionte’ Nash OL (Out)
Virginia: Wayne Taulapapa RB (Questionable), Josh Hayes CB (Out), Chico Bennett LB (Out), Nathaniel Beal WR (Out), Lavel Davis WR (Out).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Demon Deacons are 5-1 ATS in their last six conference games and 6-0 ATS in the last six matchups with the Cavaliers. Find more NCAA betting trends for Wake Forest vs. Virginia.

Wake Forest vs Virginia predictions

Obviously, the early-week number of +4.5 is preferable, but the simple fact that this ticked straight through 4 backs up the thought of the Demon Deacons being a viable ACC contender. They may not be on the level of beating Clemson yet — though that also looks increasingly conceivable — but anyone else in the conference should be doubted as a favorite against Wake Forest.

Some doubt the Demon Deacons' legitimacy because their wins, and offensive explosions, have come against the unconvincing lineup of Norfolk State, Old Dominion, and Florida State. That criticism can only be overcome in time, particularly with a win Friday night. But until then, it is worth pointing out that while the Seminoles turned over the ball six times, none of them handed Wake Forest a delightful scoring chance. Of the Demon Deacons’ four touchdowns last weekend, all covered at least 63 yards.

Their offense averages 416.3 yards per game, outgaining opponents by an average of more than 100 yards each week. Virginia may be better than expected this season, but how much better should be questioned — just as much as Wake Forest.

The Cavaliers' wins came against William & Mary and Illinois: Inflating offensive stats against those squads might be even more dubious than against Florida State.

The Deacons are averaging 26.3 points per first half this season. No matter the opponent’s level, coming out that aggressively and efficiently should carry over to Virginia.

Instincts suggest the game should blow past its total of 68.5, too, but if Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson or Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall intend to junk up the game flow, that will likely come in the second half, following a short week.

ACC darkhorse status is up for grabs and the Demon Deacons, led by quarterback Sam Hartman (230.2 passing yards per game with a completion rate of 68.7 percent, seven total touchdowns this season), should jump at the chance to make that statement early on Friday.

If their defense makes life easier — fresh off forcing six turnovers in Tallahassee — all the better.

NCAA parlays

Did you know that if you parlayed our Wake Forest vs. Virginia picks, you could win $23.65 on a $10 bet?

Use our college football parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.

Where can I bet on college football odds?

You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NCAA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of college football prop odds. Head over to our best football betting sites for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.

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