ESPN’s FPI predicts winner of Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech
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Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech enter this weekend’s matchup in Blacksburg with opposite records and the need to make an early-season statement.
ESPN’s Football Power Index recently updated its prediction for the game, and despite the Commodores being the ones who secured a Week 1 win, the FPI gives the Hokies a 63.3% chance of coming out on top Saturday night.
The home-field advantage that Lane Stadium provides likely factors into that projection, but Brent Pry’s club showed enough potential in Week 1 to warrant it. Despite the 24-11 loss to South Carolina, Virginia Tech remained within a single score for much of the afternoon and managed to out-gain and out-possess the Gamecocks.
Facing another SEC squad, it will be key for Kyron Drones to cut down on the pair of interceptions he tossed last week, and the Hokie defense can’t afford to give up the big play as much as it did last week…
…and that’s because Diego Pavia & Co. are more than capable of lighting up a scoreboard. Vandy dropped 45 on Charleston Southern last week while passing for 280 yards and rushing for 201 in a balanced effort.
Pavia completed 20-of-25 passes and accounted for over 300 yards of offense for a wildly efficient night, and stars like tailback Sederick Alexander and tight end Eli Stowers showed up around him as well.
Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt will kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST on the ACC Network.
Current sports editor with the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. 2024 graduate from Mizzou and college athletics enthusiast.
