Virginia Tech vs Duke Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 23, 2024 1:35 AM ET

Duke continues to be one of the nicer stories of 2024. It’s not getting a whole lot of attention with SMU rising up in its first year in the ACC, and Indiana took over the shocker team narrative from everyone else.

Manny Diaz, though, has put together a strong defense, the offense has done enough, and now the team is easily bowl eligible with a double-digit win at NC State two weeks ago to lock it in. Beat Virginia Tech, beat Wake Forest, win a bowl game, and enjoy a ten-win season.

Virginia Tech has lost two straight after winning three straight, and it needs a win here to be bowl eligible or else it’ll be all about the rivalry game against Virginia - adding even more pressure to an already feisty showdown.

Virginia Tech vs Duke: How to Watch and Game Preview

Virginia Tech at Duke
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
How To Watch: ACC Network
Venue: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC
Teams: Duke (7-3), Virginia Tech (5-5)
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Why Virginia Tech Will Win

Can the Hokies get a little bit of a break?

Granted, you make your own plays, but they got hosed at the end of the Miami game, and last week they couldn’t come up with the ONE stop needed against Cade Klubnik and Clemson.

But the team has been close - every loss has been by a touchdown or less until the date last week against the Tigers.

Duke doesn’t have a high-powered running game - it hasn’t hit 100 yards in four of the last five games. The run D has been the problem for the Hokies. Stop Duke on the ground, do a better job of moving the chains, and …

Why Duke Will Win

Virginia Tech doesn’t have that extra gear.

Some teams know how to get that one extra big play and that one key stop, and while Virginia Tech hasn’t had many breaks, it’s not that team that knows how to come though in the clutch.

Duke is used to playing relatively tight games. SMU was the only close game the Blue Devils didn’t pull out.

No, they’re not good at moving the chains, the third down offense is awful, and there’s no running game, but speaking of making your own breaks, they have 23 takeaways on the season with multiple forced turnovers in seven games.

In other words …

Virginia Tech vs Duke: Who Will Win?

Virginia Tech is better, and it’s certainly more desperate, but Duke it better at coming up big in big moments.

Virginia Tech will finally get one that goes its way.

The offense will be a bit more effective late with the pass rush playing a big role to hang on for dear life on the final two drives.