North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds and Preview

By Carlos Chacon • August 31, 2021

The North Carolina Tar Heels take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in Week 1 of the NCAA football. After another successful campaign alongside coach Mack Brown, the hosts look forward to playing their first game of the season. The other end of the spectrum shows a determined Hokies team looking to get a better outcome in 2021 after going 5-6 under Justin Fuente in their previous season. Both teams are playing their opener games, and anticipate an interesting match unraveling between the two.

NitroBetting makes sure that you are up to date with the latest NCAA football news and other essential information that elevates your betting experiences. In this preview, we start things off with the event details, key team and player information, as well as the latest odds. Moreover, we point you in the right direction and provide timely betting trends and expert betting predictions that bring you closer to winning picks, all of which you can find below. Be sure to check out the latest 2021 College Football odds at out online Bitcoin sportsbook.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Game Information

When: Friday, September 3, 2021, 6:00 PM ET
Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
TV: ESPN
Radio: WBT 1110 AM (North Carolina) / WBRW 105.3 FM (Virginia Tech)
Live Stream: ABC/ESPN app
College Football Odds: North Carolina (-5.5) / Virginia Tech (+5.5)

Why Bet on the North Carolina Tar Heels?

Sam Howell returns to his post after playing point man in the UNC offense that recorded 537 yards and 41.7 points per game last season. We expect more to come out of the quarterback this time around following a total of 3,586 yards thrown, 30 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions on 68.1% passing last year. It’s no wonder that he is listed as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Meanwhile, there’s plenty of work happening on the entire offensive unit. Josh Downs and Khafre Brown are key receivers, while Beau Corrales and Garrett Waltson provide some much-needed experience to the group. Furthermore, recent transfer Ty Chandler who rushed for over 2,000 yards during his time in Tennessee adds more threat to North Carolina’s attacking side.

On defense, the gaping hole left by Chazz Surratt has to be addressed right away. Tomon Fox and Jeremiah Gemmel are back to take linebacker duties, while Raymond Vohasek and Toman Fox take the help. The secondary might be UNC’s ace card coming into the game, boasting one of the best in the conference with names such as Storm Duck, Kyler McMichael, Trey Morrison, and Tony Grimes in the mix. As a team, the Tar Heels averaged 41.7 points per game while allowing 29.4 points per game last season.

Why Bet on the Virginia Tech Hokies?

The Hokies want to improve on a 5-6 season under Justin Fuente in 2020, and the team starts with Braxton Burmeister holding onto the quarterback position following Hendon Hooker and Quincy Patterson’s departure from Virginia Tech. If he stays healthy throughout the season, then the team can find more stability in this area. Running back duties are left to Jalen Holston and Raheem Blackshear. The receiving end might be the most notable area of the Hokies’ offense, as the duo of Tayvion Robinson and Tre Turner combined for 72 catches, over 1,100 yards, and 6 touchdowns last season.

Previewing the defense, there’s plenty of areas of concern here after the team gave up the most points per game in a season (32.1) in over 40 years. Jordan Williams looks to fortify the defense in his first year with the team, while Amare Barno Returns after leading the ACC with 16 tackles for loss last season.

Linebacker responsibility is held by Dax Hollifield and Alan Tisdale while the secondary gets more strength with a returning Jermaine Waller, Chamarri Conner, Dorian Strong, and Keonta Jerkins. In the 2020 season, Virginia Tech filed an average of 31.1 PPG while allowing 32.1 PPG.

North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech Betting Trends

North Carolina is 4-1 in their last 5 away games.
North Carolina is 2-3 against the spread in their last 5 away games.
The totals have gone under in 2 of North Carolina’s last 5 away games.
Virginia Tech is 2-3 in their last 5 home games.
Virginia Tech is 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 home games.
The totals have gone over in 4 of Virginia Tech’s last 5 home games.

North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech Expert Betting Predictions

The Tar Heels enter the game with a slight advantage despite not having home-field advantage on their side. With a tested quad that displays more chemistry, they are sure to give the Hokies a difficult time on both ends of the field. However, don’t disregard Virginia Tech in this matchup. The team is more than capable of covering the spread and even taking the win when they start firing on all cylinders. At the end of the day, we actively await the thrill this North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech contest brings us.

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 College Football season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.