Louisville Opens as 12-Point Home Favorite vs. Virginia Tech

The Cardinals host the Hokies in a surprise battle for the No. 2 spot in the ACC standings.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Following the Louisville football program's return to the win column with a shutout against Duke, oddsmakers are liking them to get back to a winning streak when they host Virginia Tech.

According to Circa Sports, the No. 18 Cardinals have opened up as a -12.0 favorite over the visiting Hokies. The over/under has been set at 53.5.

In their first action out of the bye week, Louisville (7-1, 4-1 ACC) used an efficient ground game and stifling defense to rebound from their loss at Pitt on Oct. 14 and take down No. 20 Duke. Jawhar Jordan ran for 163 yards as part of a 234-yard effort on the ground by the Cardinals, while the Blue Devils were held to 202 yards of offense and 51 yards rushing.

As for Virginia Tech (4-4, 3-1 ACC), they have turned it on since getting to ACC play. After starting the season by going 1-3 in their non-conference slate, the Hokies have gone 3-1, falling only to Florida State and capturing wins over Pitt, Wake Forest and Syracuse. They sit at No. 3 in the ACC standings, behind only FSU at No. 1 and Louisville at No. 2

Louisville is 4-4 against-the-spread so far this season, whereas Virginia Tech is 5-3. The Cardinals are 4-0 ATS and straight up at home, while the Hokies are 1-2 ATS on the road despite being 0-3 straight up.

Louisville was able to cover vs. Murray State (-43.5), vs. Boston College (-14.0) vs. Notre Dame (+6.5) and vs. Duke (-5.0); but failed to do so vs. Georgia Tech (-7.0), vs. Indiana (-10.0) at NC State (-3.5) and at Pitt (-7.0).

Duke covered vs. Old Dominion (-16.0), vs. Pitt (+3.0), at Florida State (+23.5), vs. Wake Forest (-1.5) and vs. Syracuse (-2.5); but could not do so vs. Purdue (+1.0), at Rutgers (+6.5) and at Marshall (+5.5).

Kickoff vs. Virginia Tech is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 at 3:30 p.m. EST.

(Photo via Jared Anderson - Louisville Report)

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