Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech Picks and Prediction, Saturday, September 6, 2025
We have the Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech predictions that you’ve been looking for, so read up, make your plays and settle in. The Commodores (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS) were 45-2 winners over Charleston Southern as -37.5 favorites at home. The Hokies (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) fell against No. 13 South Carolina last weekend, 24-11, as +6.5 underdogs on the road. The opening kickoff from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg is scheduled for 7:30 EST and if you need a boost in your handicapping, try our NCAAF Betting Picks.
Vanderbilt flexes on both sides
The Commodores struck the right balance in week one as their offense took flight and their defense locked it down, allowing just a fourth quarter field goal the whole way. It was the fourth straight season opening win for the program, the longest streak since they won five in row from 1970-75.
On offense, Vandy scored 28 first half points and put up double digits in three of the four quarters. They had 481 total yards, 25 first downs and were 6-9 on third down conversions. The passing game saw Diego Pavia go 20-25 for 275 yards and three touchdowns, before resting late. The senior QB, who rushed for 800 yards last season, also gained 44 yards on the ground in last week’s win. Tre Richardson, a transfer from Division II Washburn, was the team’s top receiver in his debut, catching five passes for 74 yards. Three different receivers caught TD passes, and three others ran for TDs.
Defensively, the Commodores were staunch, allowing only 135 total yards against Charleston Southern. They gave up just 88 yards through air and 47 yards on the ground and they made seven stops behind the line of scrimmage, including three sacks. Miles Capers came up a sack and two tackles for loss. The senior edge rusher has five career sacks. The defense also forced a fumble and Florida Atlantic transfer CJ Heard came up with his first career interceptions.
“Obviously, I think any team’s goal would be to wear down the opponent,” said head coach Clark Lea, via Yahoo Sports. “I think they’re not going to make that easy on us. My concern right now is that when the ball is put down, we’re focused and ready to play the game on the field. We don’t want to chase this one down.”
Game notes
- Vandy found the end zone in their first three offensive possessions.
- All three of the team’s rushing touchdowns in week one were by new transfers.
- In his first action as a two-way player, CB/WR Martel Hight caught two passes for 18 yards and had four tackles last week.
- The 135 yards allowed by the defense was the eighth-lowest total by the school in the last 30 seasons.
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Stalled offense dooms Virginia Tech
The Hokies put themselves to the test out of the gate and they didn’t come out with a passing grade after losing to the 13th ranked team in the nation. They now turn their focus towards the first game at home, where they are in search of a 10th straight win in a home opener.
Virginia Tech’s offense struggled to get going against South Carolina in week one and they could not find the end zone as scoring came by way of three field goals and a safety. The team did go 8-18 on third downs and they had 19 first downs and 336 total yards. They also turned the ball over twice by way of interception via Kyron Drones, who went 15-35 for 221 yards in the loss. He was also sacked twice on the day. Drones connected with Donavon Greene on three passes for 94 yards and Ayden Greene had five catches for 71 yards. The rushing game managed only 115 yards, with Marcellous Hawkins accounting for 58 yards on 15 carries.
The Hokies looked a lot better on the defensive side as they held 13th ranked South Carolina to just 10 points through the first three quarters. They kept the Gamecocks to only 16 first downs and 328 total yards but allowed 14 fourth quarter points. The team was unable to force a turnover in the loss, but they put the pressure on up front, recording four sacks and seven tackles for loss. Linebacker Michael Short had five tackles on the day, 1.5 for a loss, and he deflected a pass. Sophomore safety Quentin Reddish led the team with eight tackles.
“These guys have been great,” said head coach Brent Pry, via SI.com. “I didn't see any dip in confidence. They seem more determined and eager than ever. Obviously, the short week, it's challenging. But they pushed through.”
Game notes
- The Hokies used 12 different defensive linemen versus South Carolina, with seven of them recording at least two tackles.
- Drones passed the 4,000 passing yards mark for his career in the season opener and is now 431 yards away from moving into 10th in Virginia Tech’s all-time passing list.
- DT Kemari Copeland played in the opener after missing the last eight games of 2024 due to injury.
Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech pick
Spread Pick for Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech
- Virginia Tech -1 (4 units)
Vanderbilt owns a 6-4 SU lead in the head-to-head series, but Virginia Tech won the most recent meeting in 2024, 34-27 in overtime of last year’s season opener. The Hokies have won nine straight home openers, and it would be tough to buck that trend at this stage. Virginia Tech can get an advantage over Vandy’s offense at the line. If they can get through the way they did versus South Carolina, Pavia is going to be in for a long day. On offense, the Hokies can move the ball in the air, they just need to clean up the errors, which were costly last week. The running game is close to getting Terion Stewart in the mix and if it happens in this game, it will be a massive boost and will keep the Commodores off balance. Vanderbilt’s defense is going to have a much longer day than it did a week ago.
Take the Hokies to cover.
Over/Under pick for Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech
- Over 47.5 (4 units)
These two teams scored a combined 61 points when they met last season, hitting the over on a 49-point total. They could surpass that number this time around, given the offensive weapons in play, however both offer solid defensive responses as well. That said, I do think these two can once again combine their forces and put enough points on the board. Virginia Tech struggled to find the end zone last week, but they were in position plenty of times to get there. Surely, they have addressed the errors of this week and that will change their fortunes. Vanderbilt has plenty to work with on the offensive side of the ball. Pavia is very seasoned and doesn’t make a ton of mistakes. He can also burn you with his speed, which only opens things up for everyone else to get loose.
Tale the over.
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