California vs. Virginia Tech Picks and Predictions: Can Bears Compete Against Hokies?

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Kyron Drones has 16 total touchdowns and 5 interceptions on the year - California Virginia Tech Picks

The California Golden Bears find themselves on the opposite coast (almost) as they take on the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium tonight. The two ACC teams have flipped records coming into this game. California is 5-2 and 2-1 in conference play, while the Hokies are 2-5 overall and just 1-2 in their league. Virginia Tech is coming off two losses but have had a bye week to recoup and recharge for this contest. It’s technically not a short week for the Bears, as they beat North Carolina at home last Friday. But, we have to dive in to our favorite picks and check out this game because this line has moved plenty.

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California Golden Bears vs. Virginia Tech Hokies NCAA Football Insights

The Hokies were embarrassed in their first three games. They lost to South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Old Dominion, and were outscored 113-57. Then they beat Wofford, and somehow upset NC State on the road to get their two wins. But since, they have lost to Wake Forest and Georgia Tech and have only covered a spread against the Wolfpack. Following a bye week, can they cover this number as they see themselves laying the most points they have all year?

California’s season has gone the opposite way. They started out with three straight wins, demolishing Oregon State, Texas Southern and Minnesota. But in their first road game, they were blanked by the San Diego State Aztecs, losing 34-0. They went out to Boston College the following week, winning outright on the road as 6.5 point underdogs (Hmmm, interesting). After that, they hosted Duke and UNC, losing to the Blue Devils but beating the Tar Heels following a bye.

Matchup Information – California vs. Virginia Tech – October 24

  • Venue & Location: Lane Stadium (Blacksburg, VA)
  • Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
  • Kick Off: 7:30 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: ESPN

California vs. Virginia Tech Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of October 24, 2025 at 9:14 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus. BetOnline offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • California +6 (-108)
  • Virginia Tech -6 (-112)

Moneyline

  • California +192
  • Virginia Tech -230

Total

  • Over 50.5 (-115)
  • Under 50.5 (-105)

This line has soared in the Hokies favor. Virginia Tech was favored by 2.5 on Sunday when this line opened up around midnight on Sunday. By 10:00 a.m., it was already at 3.5 and 4.5 on Monday morning. It danced between 4 and 4.5 a little on Tuesday, but eventually jumped straight to 5.5 and now 6 or 6.5 where it currently stands.

That’s too much movement for me. I will be fading all that steam.

California vs. Virginia Tech NCAA Football Picks and Predictions

Can California pull off this upset on the road? California Virginia Tech Picks

Can California pull off this upset on the road?

California vs. Virginia Tech Prediction: California Wins Outright, Under 50.5

Best Bet: California +6 (-108) BetOnline

Now, I have not bet this yet. We are waiting until the last possible second, hoping we can find a full touchdown, because there are some +6.5s out there. I don’t mind settling for +6 if it never gets there and those hooks disappear, but this line has steamed up too much for my liking.

All California does is throw the ball, and they will have plenty of success doing so. They are top 25 in pass play percentage and they face a horrible secondary. The Hokies defense is bottom 25 in opponent interceptions thrown (three picks all year), bottom eight in yards per pass (8.9), and are fifth worst in opponent completion percentage. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was sacked eight times in the Bears two losses, but has only taken six in the other five contests. If he has time to sit back and pass (which he should), he’ll be able to pick apart this Hokies’ secondary.

Virginia Tech is north of 100 in the country (of 136 teams) in points per play on both sides of the ball and third down conversion defense. They are also third worst in red zone scoring percentage. I don’t see them pulling off this win. The Hokies are just 1-6 against the spread, and are 0-4 as a favorite, with three outright losses. California is 2-1 ATS as a dog with two outright wins, and 2-1 ATS on the road this year.

Go Golden Bears.

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