Virginia Tech @ No. 8 Ohio State (-11) TV: ESPN 8pm Saturday
Daniel: I didn’t look too much into Ohio State struggling against Navy for three quarters last week. It was the first game without quarterback Braxton Miller and the Midshipman are a tough matchup with their option attack. Certainly Ohio State won’t be the same without Miller this season, but the Buckeyes should still contend in the Big 10 and I think they’ll have enough to get by Virginia Tech in this non-conference matchup as well. Winner: Ohio State 38-28
Houston: To me, this is an incredibly tough game to pick. Ohio State looked like an average football team for three quarters before hitting a couple plays late to beat Navy in the opener, while Virginia Tech looked fairly balanced in their week one win over William & Mary. The Buckeyes are going to miss Braxton Miller all season, but his replacement, J.T. Barrett actually looked pretty solid against the Midshipmen as he went 12/15 passing for 226 and 2 touchdowns while also leading the Buckeyes in rushing yards. I think they cut Barrett loose this week and he puts up some solid numbers against the fighting Frank Beamers. If this game were in Blacksburg, I might give VT a real chance, but Ohio State hasn’t lost a home game since 2011. Winner: Ohio State 34-21
Reed: I really want to pick Virginia Tech but just can’t see it. They are 5-2 in their last seven road games but, more importantly, just 2-10 against the spread in their last 12 road games. Ohio State hasn’t lost at home since Vol fans still believed in Derek Dooley and they have a decided talent advantage in this one. Though they were shaky in a week one win over Navy, they should roll to 2-0. Winner: Ohio State 31-20
Blake: Admittedly, this game gave me the most headaches when coming to a decision. Ohio State is without their Heisman hopeful Braxton Miller, and struggled against Navy last week. Virginia Tech isn’t the Virginia Tech of the early 2000’s and have been on a bit of a downfall recently. Last week the Hokies beat William and Mary 34-9. Ohio State’s defense will have to key on Shai McKenzie, who carried the ball 9 times for 106 yards last Saturday. Bud Foster and the Hokie defense will have their hands full with the Ohio State playmakers on the outside as well. This game goes back and forth all game long but Ohio State’s homefield advantage proves to be too much for Virginia Tech. Winner: Ohio State 30-27
