Discover Orange Bowl: #4 Stanford vs #13 Virginia Tech Preview
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Cardinal vs. Hokies Handicapping Matchup
Date/Time: Monday, Jan. 3 2011, 8.30 pm EST
Venue: Sun Life Stadium, Miami FL
Stanford Cardinal (11-1) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (11-2) Betting Lines from MySportsbook.com
MoneyLine: Stanford -165, Virginia Tech +145
NCAA Betting Favorite: Stanford (-3.5) Virginia Tech (+3.5)
Over/Under: 58
Stanford
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Throughout 2010, the Cardinal had Luck on their side.
The primary reason why Stanford has enjoyed such a fantastic season is because of its star quarterback, junior Andrew Luck. The pivot eclipsed 3,000 yards and put up an excellent 28-7 TD/INT ratio. Stanford fans from Manhattan to Palo Alto were thrilled to hear via Sports Illustrated that Luck plans to return for his senior season in 2011.
Luck’s performance may give Stanford a slight edge over the perennially strong ACC representative Virginia Tech. The Cardinal hover near the Top 10 in the nation in both points for (ninth, with over 40 per game) and points against (11th, surrendering 17.8 on average). What Luck doesn’t do (he also chipped in with nearly 500 rushing yards), sophomore RB Stepfan Taylor chimes in with a 1,000+ yard season and 15 majors.
Stanford’s only stumble came against Oregon, who are playing for the national title. If Luck left for the NFL he would be a surefire high first-round pick. The Hokies team Stanford faces in the Orange Bowl is a model of consistency, but with such a consummate college passer on its sideline, you have to like the Cardinal’s chance of grabbing some Orange. 
Virginia Tech
The Hokies had a strange season in 2010; as successful as ever, though it came in new and creative ways. Tech lost its first two games of the season to Boise State – can’t really blame them there – and then lowly James Madison. Yet, after the awful start, Tech only went unbeaten the rest of the way, including every game in its conference slate.
Tech had some key victories versus strong programs like Miami, NC State and Florida State. The Hokies have their usual stout, conservative style of play, accentuated by a strong defense (16th in the FBS) and running game (18th in the FBS). Veteran QB Tyrod Taylor is no Andrew Luck, but he did have over 2,500 yards passing and 637 yards on the ground to go with 28 total TDs.
Virginia Tech definitely has the savvy and the courage under fire to come away with an Orange Bowl victory. The ACC title, earned on Dec. 4 against Florida State, was Tech’s third in the past four years. To be sure, the Tech “D” will have an ultimate test with a high-powered attack like Stanford’s, but everything has been going right for the Hokies since Week 2.
The Pick
Something has to give when these two thriving football teams meet on Jan. 3. Beamer’s Hokies program is one that churns out everything short of national championships. Meanwhile, being an elite team is new hat for a Stanford program that has burst on the scene. This is a tough one to call, but it is hard to bet against a Stanford team with such a great QB, and one which has dispatched opponents so easily in 2010.
Stanford vs. Virginia Tech Score Prediction: Stanford 31 Virginia Tech 24
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