CFB: Chick-Fil-A Bowl - Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee (7:30E ESPN)

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2009-12-31

The highlight game on the day's schedule is the Chick-Fil-A bowl matchup between Virginia Tech and Tennessee. This bowl game is known for ringing in the New Year, and for the last four years, it has been done with upsets by the SEC team. Can the Volunteers make it five in a row as 5.5-point underdogs, or will the Hokies put the win back in the ledger of the ACC? According to 92% of bettors at Sportsbook.com, Tennessee has a good chance of winning against the spread and on the money line.

The Volunteers and Hokies will send off 2009 in the last college football game of the calendar year. Virginia Tech (7-5 ATS) is favored after finishing 9-3, winning its last four games both SU and ATS, conceding just 8.8 PPG. The Hokies haven't been the best bowl team of late, going just 3-5 SU and ATS since 2001. Tennessee (7-5 SU & ATS) shares that same bowl record in its eight games and has gone Under the total in five straight bowl battles, including twice in the old Peach Bowl. The Vols are looking to extend a streak of four straight upset wins by SEC teams in this bowl series.

Why watch and wager - For each of these teams, the goal is the same it's just the method in which they get there is the difference. New coach Lane Kiffin was able to harness Jonathan Crompton from a mistake-prone quarterback into one that make better decisions and cut down interceptions. This was helped by Montario Hardesty who used his senior season to blossom and Crompton had deception on his side with a running game. In spite of alarming defensive injuries, the Vols held together under DC Monte Kiffin and are is 20-8 ATS away from Knoxville playing a team with 75 percent or better win percentage. This is important game for the stature of the ACC and Virginia Tech. The conference has started 1-3 SU as a bowler and Virginia Tech is in search of fifth straight 10-win season. Did you know Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams actually gained more yards rushing and had more touchdowns the Heisman winner Mark Ingram? Neither did anyone else and if he can break the century mark against the Vols, the Hokies should be good. The biggest concern Frank Beamer is lack if pass rush, exposing mediocre secondary. The Hokies are 32-14 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points.

The StatFox Power Line shows Virginia Tech by 6. Expect a good game either way.