Virginia Tech Hokies Handicapping Review

 

By Tom Wilkinson

 

While once a top ten power, Virginia Tech had entered the 2004 season as a program that seemed to have slipped a notch as they were coming off an 8-4 season in 2001, 10-4 mark in 2002, and 8-5 record in 2003. In addition to slipping from power to being just a good team, Tech did not once post a winning record against the odds in any of those three seasons as the sports handicapping market completely corrected itself. More of the same was expected from the Hokies in 2004, which meant that they had the potential to emerge as an excellent value and bargain team for sports bettors.

Tech had the unenviable task of beginning their season against the defending national champion USC Trojans in a made for television affair at the Washington Redskins home stadium. Most online sports betting blogs and a lot of tout services were in favor of USC but Tech surprised many by playing competitive football in a 13-24 loss as 17.5-point dogs.

Tech next mauled Western Michigan 63-0 as 25-point home chalks before winning at Duke 41-17 as 29.5-point chalks, failing to get the money. After a 16-17 loss at North Carolina State as 7.5-point chalks the Hokies were written off as being “more of the same” by many sports betting bloggers. Many members of the general sports betting public found little reason to include Virginia Tech on their list of football picks. They were about to be many weeks late and many dollars short.

Standing at 2-2 both straight up and against the odds Tech came home to host West Virginia and was a bargain as 3-point favorites, winning 19-13. This win ended up serving as a springboard to a remarkable season for the Hokies who went 8-1 straight up and against the odds the rest of the way.

Virginia Tech really demonstrated what a tremendous sports handicapping value they were at the end of the season. In their home finale against a struggling but still highly touted Virginia team the Hokies won 24-10 as 3.5-point chalks. This put them in position to play at Miami for the ACC title. Carrying tremendous momentum into the Orange Bowl, the Hokies were still disregarded as the “name brand” Canes were installed as 7-point chalks, losing 16-10. Undefeated Auburn was made a 6-point chalk in the Sugar Bowl, which Tech lost by a slim 13-16 margin.