Heinz Field – Pittsburgh, PA
Kickoff: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. ET
Line: Virginia Tech -3.5, Total: NA

#25 Virginia Tech heads to Pittsburgh to try to build on the momentum it gained from a big home win over Miami last week.

“We didn’t invent Thursday, just Thursday night football,” said Virginia Tech Athletics’ hype video for the Hokies’ game against Miami last week. It was kind of nonsensical, but it was hard to argue their claim to Thursday night dominance after a 37-16 (VT -4.5) win over Miami last week. The Hokies were in control throughout, outgaining the ‘Canes 523 yards to 365 and picking up 28 first downs to Miami’s 15. Everything was clicking for the offense, as QB Jerod Evans (62.9 CMP%, 1,611 yards, 19 TDs, 2 INTs; 85 carries, 417 yards, 3 TDs) completed 21 of 33 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown. RB Travon McMillian (92 carries, 458 yards, 3 TDs) rushed 18 times for 131 yards. They’re now 5-2 on the season (4-3 ATS) while Miami dropped to 4-3. Now Tech gets to play on its favorite night of the week once again, but is this time on the road to play a 5-2 Pittsburgh team (2-4-1 ATS) that’s well rested after a week off. After starting the season 2-0, Pitt dropped to .500 after losing two challenging road games to Oklahoma State and North Carolina by a combined eight points. With wins over Marshall, Georgia Tech and Virginia, they’re now on a three-game winning streak. Despite trailing 21-14 at halftime and being outgained by 18 yards for the game, the Panthers buckled down in the second half against the Cavaliers to post a 45-31 victory (PITT -3) in their most recent game. Over the last five seasons, road favorites of 3.5 to 10 points (VT) in a game involving two teams outrushing their opponents by 50+ yards per game are 20-43 ATS when coming off a game in which they allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards. But in the same time frame, road favorites are 76-33 ATS after 49 or more total points in their previous seven games.

It’s not unreasonable to call Jerod Evans one of the best quarterbacks in the country. His 167.2 rating is ninth in the nation, he’s 11th in touchdown passes and one of only three players to have thrown 19 or more touchdown passes and two or fewer interceptions. He’s the top-rated passer in the ACC, a conference that includes such prolific passers as Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson. His 4.9 yards per carry are eighth among quarterbacks with at least 400 rushing yards. The fact that he’s a first-year starter and won a QB competition before the season makes it all the more impressive. WR Isaiah Ford (36 catches, 505 yards, 5 TDs) has been his favorite target, and he’s seventh in the conference in receiving yards and tied for second in touchdown receptions. TE Bucky Hodges (25 catches, 323 yards, 5 TDs) is one of the best receiving ends in the country and an excellent red zone target; he had two touchdowns inside the 20 against Miami. WR Cam Phillips (27 catches, 405 yards, 2 TDs) ranks among the better No. 2 wideouts in the ACC. Aside from those three, no other Tech player has caught ten passes. Three, however, have caught at least two touchdowns, including FB Sam Rogers (8 catches, 157 yards, 3 TDs), who, one imagines, leads the nation’s fullbacks with nearly 20 yards per catch. McMillian is one of the lesser-used lead backs in the ACC, ranking 11th in carries and 12th in yards. Rogers (33 carries, 109 yards) and RB Marshawn Williams (39 carries, 170 yards, TD) have also received carries, and Evans, of course, has contributed nearly as much to the running game as McMillian. Still, though, McMillian showed he’s a deserving No. 1 back with his season-high 131 yards against Miami. The defense has been fantastic, ranking 11th in the nation with 301 yards allowed per game. DE Ken Ekanem has five sacks, and DT Woody Baron and LB Tremaine Edmunds each have four. Edmunds and DB Greg Stroman each have three interceptions.

One of the best stories in all of sports this year has been the return of Pittsburgh RB James Conner (124 carries, 531 yards, 7 TDs; 15 catches, 197 yards, 2 TDs) from cancer and a serious knee injury to once again assume the role of a workhorse running back. He’s sixth in the conference in rushing yards, fourth in carries and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns. As if that weren’t enough, he took three snaps at defensive end against Virginia and actually pressured the quarterback on one of them. Head coach Pat Narduzzi said after the game to expect to see more of Conner on the defensive side of the ball. Freshman RB Chawntez Moss (36 carries, 223 yards, TD) has been a good backup, and had a 97-yard performance against Marshall. Quadree Henderson (32 carries, 349 yards, 3 TDs; 17 catches, 174 yards, TD), who is listed as a wide receiver, gets the ball in any way the Panthers can give it to him. It’s no wonder why: He’s taken two kickoffs back for touchdowns this season and leads the nation with 35.9 yards per return. As far as more traditional receivers, WR Jester Weah (19 catches, 402 yards, 4 TDs) and TE Scott Orndoff (17 catches, 228 yards, 2 TDs) have led the way for the Panthers. WR Dontez Ford led the team in receiving last year, but is likely out until at least a bowl game with a broken collarbone he suffered very early in the season. Delivering all those passes is QB Nathan Peterman (63.3 CMP%, 1,252 yards, 12 TDs, 2 INTs), who is in his second year starting for the Panthers. He’s steady but unspectacular, ranking fourth in the ACC with a 150.3 passer rating but 11th in passing yards. He’s only thrown over 250 yards once this season, against Marshall, but has never thrown more than one pick in a game this year and has completed at least 70 percent of his passes in four of seven games. On defense, the Panthers are 60th in the country with 395 yards allowed per game and 89th with 31.4 points allowed per game. They’ve allowed at least 27 points in every game since their opener against FCS Villanova. DE Ejuan Price is the bright spot, as he’s arguably the best defensive lineman in the country and leads the nation with nine sacks and is third with 1.9 tackles for loss per game.