UVA Football Week 4 Betting Preview vs. Wake Forest

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Wake Forest (3-0) at Virginia (2-1)

  • When: Friday, September 24 (7:00 p.m.)
  • Where: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA
  • Line: Virginia -4
  • M/L: Wake Forest +165, Virginia -190
  • O/U: 66.5

To say last Saturday’s loss to North Carolina was disappointing would be an understatement. It was a missed opportunity to catapult the program into serious respectability. While the defense was exposed badly, quarterback Brennan Armstrong did catapult himself into the national consciousness with a record-setting performance. We have to move on, though. It’s a short week and an undefeated Wake Forest team is coming to town; the same team that beat the Hoos (without Armstrong, it should be noted) by 17 last season.

Last Time Out

  • Wake Forest won 35-14 at home over Florida State
  • Virginia lost 59-39 on the road to North Carolina

ATS Records

  • Wake Forest (3-0 ATS; 0-3 O/U)
  • Virginia (2-1 ATS; 1-2 O/U)

ATS Trends

  • Wake Forest (2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 road games)
  • Wake Forest (1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall)
  • Wake Forest (Over is 5-1 in Demon Deacons last 6 road games)
  • Wake Forest (Over is 5-2 in Demon Deacons last 7 games following an ATS win)
  • Virginia (5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite)
  • Virginia (4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games)
  • Virginia (Over is 6-1 in Cavaliers last 7 games following a straight-up loss)
  • Virginia (Over is 11-3 in Cavaliers last 14 conference games)

Team Rankings (Conference)

  • Wake Forest (Total Offense 8; Total Defense 6)
  • Wake Forest (Scoring Offense 5; Scoring Defense 4)
  • Virginia (Total Offense 1; Total Defense 11)
  • Virginia (Scoring Offense 4; Scoring Defense 11)

Team Rankings (Overall)

  • Wake Forest (Total Offense 62; Total Defense 41)
  • Wake Forest (Scoring Offense 30; Scoring Defense 15)
  • Virginia (Total Offense 5; Total Defense 92)
  • Virginia (Scoring Offense 20; Scoring Defense 72)

Matchup To Watch

Wake Forest receivers vs. Virginia secondary

The Deacs have a solid group of receivers, led by Jaquarii Roberson and 6-foot-5 A.T. Perry. Both have 12+ receptions this year and combined they have deep touchdown receptions in all three games this season. Virginia’s own Taylor Morin could also be trouble for the Hoos. He’s a 5-foot-10 receiver that can do a lot of damage from the slot, yet hasn’t busted any big plays yet this year. That’s a little scary because he’s going to at some point and averaged almost 13 yards per reception last season. They were all together last season and clearly have chemistry with Wake quarterback Sam Hartman.

The UVA secondary (and defense in general) has to answer the bell after last week’s bummer of a game. Hopefully, an improved focus can shore up the missed assignments, and the utter need to make up for the UNC debacle can do the same for the missed tackles.

Key Injuries

  • Virginia running back Wayne Taulapapa is still in concussion protocol. The veteran back left Saturday’s game early.
  • Virginia defensive backs Nick Grant and Joey Blount are expected to be at “full speed” for Friday’s game. Grant missed the UNC game while Blount left early.

Cut The Check

Wake Forest hasn’t faced an offense of Virginia’s caliber this year and I don’t think they’ll be able to stop them. The Deacs were gifted a bunch of turnovers by a crestfallen Florida State team; don’t expect Brennan Armstrong and company to do the same. On the other side, you can’t argue with the Deacs offense — they’re going to score some points. Take Virginia to win (moneyline) and the over!