Saturday will be the seventh meeting between Old Dominion and Virginia Tech since 2017.
The Hokies lead the series 2-4 and have won the last two meetings by almost the same score, 36-17 in 2023 and 37-17 in 2024. ODU’s wins came in 2018 and 2022, which was Brent Pry’s first season as head coach at Virginia Tech.
The Monarchs spoiled his coaching debut by knocking off the Hokies in a Week 1 matchup. Former ODU running back Blake Watson scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter to help the Monarchs secure the 20-17 victory. Virginia Tech was ranked No. 13 when ODU won in 2018.
As of Wednesday, college football betting odds have the Monarchs as a 7.5-point underdog for this week’s outing. The line opened with Virginia Tech as a 13.5-point favorite. ODU was a 16-point underdog the previous two matchups but was only a six-point underdog in the 2022 meeting.
Colton Joseph’s Legs Could Be Key
There was a lot of anticipation surrounding the Old Dominion quarterback entering the season, and Joseph didn’t wait long to show how dynamic he can be. On the first snap of the season, Joseph took a 75-yard run the distance to give the Monarchs a 7-0 lead in the eventual 27-14 loss to 20th-ranked Indiana.
ODU’s other touchdown came in the fourth quarter when Joseph broke away for a 78-yard run. He finished with 179 yards on 10 carries. While the bulk of that production came on those two plays, it doesn’t take away from how dangerous he can be as a rusher.
Virginia Tech should be prepared for that element of ODU’s offense, but I think it’ll still be able to find success. That should also open up the passing game a little more for Joseph, who I think is capable of taking advantage of Virginia Tech’s secondary.
The Hokies have already gone up against two dual-threat QBs similar to Joseph this season.
In last week’s loss to Vanderbilt, they allowed QB Diego Pavia to rush for 61 yards on 11 carries. In their Week 1 loss, they held South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers to just 25 yards on 13 rushes (1.9 yards per carry).
ODU Defense Loses Linebacker Jason Henderson
The Monarchs will have a big hole to replace with Henderson announcing via Instagram that he is stepping away from football because of a lingering knee injury he has been battling the past few seasons.
Henderson redshirted last season as he tried to fully recover. He was an All-American in 2023 and 2022 and led the country with 14.2 tackles per game in 2023 while his 170 tackles was second most in the FBS. He finished as ODU’s all-time leading tackler with 444 total tackles.
In that 2022 meeting against Virginia Tech, Henderson tallied 18 total tackles to go with 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack.
I don’t know if there is any replacing Henderson, but I expect a few guys to help fill that void including Keshawn Thomas, Jeremy Mack Jr., and especially Seth Naotala.
Virginia Tech vs. Old Dominion Prediction
I predict ODU will keep this game close and will cover the spread, but I expect the Hokies ultimately pull away with the victory in Blacksburg.
I think Virginia Tech will do whatever it can to avoid an 0-3 start and will be a little more desperate to pick up a win, especially after getting thumped at home last week.
