UVA football enters Commonwealth clash as 8.5-point favorite vs. Virginia Tech

After opening the week as 11.5 point favorites according to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Virginia Cavaliers have dropped to be favored by 8.5 points in Saturday night’s Commonwealth Clash against the Virginia Tech Hokies. At 9-2, the ‘Hoos are a win away from an ACC Championship berth and the opportunity to clinch an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.

Standing in their way is the program that they have hardly beaten in these players’ lifetimes. Virginia Tech has won 19 of the last 20 matchups between the two teams. The last time UVA came out on top? 2019 at Scott Stadium when the Cavaliers won the ACC Coastal, played in the ACC Championship, and were selected for the Orange Bowl.

That team was led by head coach Bronco Mendenhall and quarterback Bryce Perkins. This UVA squad is guided by Tony Elliott and Chandler Morris in a game that could set the tone for the next chapter of this rivalry as former Penn State head coach James Franklin is set to take over in Blacksburg after this season.

Along with being 8.5-point favorites, Virginia is -320 to win according to FanDuel with the over/under set at 52.5 points. The line has shifted three points since its opening at the beginning of the week.

Many experts are still sticking with the ‘Hoos to win. In fact, the entirety of the College GameDay crew picked Virginia. Make of that what you will.

All the numbers, all the experts can say whatever they may about this game and this rivalry. The fact of the matter is that UVA has to break the trend of the Hokies’ dominance against them before the Wahoo football program can say its arrived. This has been a historic season for Virginia – the Cavaliers have won nine games for just the ninth time in program history. Wahoo fans rushed the field when the ‘Hoos upset (then No. 8) Florida State. UVA has been among the class of the ACC all season long.

But can the Cavaliers get it done against the Hokies? That’s been the question plaguing this program for 25 years. Saturday could be the day its answered.