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1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Amazon gift card

Top 5 winners

Overview:

On Sunday, September 3rd, the (0-0) West Virginia Mountaineers will take on the (0-0) Virginia Tech Hokies at FedEx Field in Maryland.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” projects a final score of Virginia Tech 28.9 – West Virginia 26.8 with an over/under of 55.7.

2016-17 Statistics (127 total teams):

Passing offense: Virginia Tech 261.9 YPG > West Virginia 257.2 YPG

Rushing offense: West Virginia 228.2 YPG > Virginia Tech 183.1 YPG

Scoring offense: Virginia Tech 34.9 PPG > West Virginia 31.2 PPG

Scoring defense: Virginia Tech 22.7 PPG > West Virginia 23.4 PPG

Passing defense: Virginia Tech 194.2 YPG > West Virginia 255.7 YPG

Rushing defense: Virginia Tech 148.5 YPG > West Virginia 175.5 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: West Virginia +0.3 > Virginia Tech -0.1

Strength of schedule:

Virginia Tech was (10-4) in 2016 with wins over Liberty, Boston College, East Carolina, North Carolina, Miami, Pittsburgh, Duke, Notre Dame, and Virginia.  They were defeated by Clemson, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Tennessee.  West Virginia was (10-3) with wins over Missouri, Youngstown State, BYU, Kansas State, Texas Tech, TCU, Kansas, Texas, Iowa State, and Baylor.  They were defeated by Miami, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.

Summary:

Former Florida quarterback Will Grier is finally eligible for West Virginia in 2017.  Grier was suspended all of last season for using a banned substance but was 6-0 starting for the Gators in 2015.  The Mountaineers will have workhorse running back Justin Crawford back after he rushed for 1,184 yards last season.  The receivers are young and talented, but unproven.  Ka’Raun White should be a dynamic weapon and deep threat for Grier.  The offensive line is seen as a big question mark as two starters must be replaced and Yondy Cajuste is returning from a serious knee injury.  On defense West Virginia will need to replace their entire defensive line but the rest of the position groups should fare well.

Virginia Tech will have to replace quarterback Jerod Evans, wide receiver Isaiah Ford, and tight end Bucky Hodges.  Redshirt freshman Josh Jackson is set to take over the reigns at quarterback but he will have a lot to prove.  Travon McMillian had 10 total touchdowns last year but the running back group lacks that bell cow.  Cam Phillips is back and a great season could put him atop the all-time receiver list at Virginia Tech.  A veteran offensive line could make up for some of the inexperience on offense.  The Hokies defense should without a doubt be the strength of their team.  Linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka had 114 tackles last season.  The secondary can certainly make an argument as the best in college football.

Bottom Line:

This should be a really close game as these teams are very evenly matched.  Virginia Tech was excellent at taking away the football last season.  I believe the Hokies defense will force some key turnovers that will be ultimately be the difference.

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