Chick-fil-A Bowl: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Tennessee Volunteers | Preview & Predictions

December 31, 2009 | 7:30 PM EST, Atlanta, GA, on ESPN

Chick Fil-A Bowl

Tennessee Volunteers (7-5) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3)

Opening Line: Virginia Tech -4 (current VT -5.5)

Game Preview: The Hokies have to be disappointed.  They have been in and out of the top 10 all year but instead of landing a BCS bid they get an unranked opponent in the Volunteers.  The Hokies are extremely well coached so I do not seem them sleep walking through this contest.  The Vols have been tested against great competition in the SEC and their tough defense cna keep them in the game with anybody (see Florida game).  You never know what Lane Kiffin will say so this game has a bit of intrigue as well.

Tennessee Preview: The Vols may still be a couple notches below where they would like but they certainly are interesting.  Their coach mixes it up at press conferences and their players are robbing fellow students at the gas station.  In between they have shown toughness and improvement in most areas. In this contest they will rely on their sting D (19th in the country in yards) and the running of Monterrio Hardesty (what a great name).  If QB Jonathan Crompton doesn’t turn it over this formula may yield a victory.  In case you forgot Tennessee only lost to Alabama by 2 while VT lost by 10 the opening week.  These teams may be closer to each other than they first appear.

Virginia Tech Preview: The Hokies are very good.  If they had closed out UNC and GT we might have been heard clamoring for a rematch with the Crimson Tide.  As usual they are leaning on their defense which is OK when you give up only 16ppg. Frosh running back Ryan Williams has been amazing replacing Darren Evans and Tyrod Taylor is dangerous at QB.  Unfortunately some of the danger he creates is for his own team.  He has definitely improved and if he can outplay his counterpart the Hokies will win as they rarely beat themselves in other facets of the game.

Game Prediction: My gut says Taylor outplays Crompton in this one.  He can make plays with his feet which will be important while the Hokies will be able to rattle the Vols QB.  If VT can get up early Tennessee just might pack it in.

Score Prediction:

Virginia Tech Hokies – 27

Tennessee Volunteers- 17

Pick: Not sure why this line is heading up…I guess the rest of the world is thinking like I am.  as long as it stays under 7 I feel good about the Hokies. You might want to buy a point to be sure.