Virginia Tech vs. Marshall Odds: Who Is Favored to Win in CFB Week 2

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Key Takeaways:

  • 📅 The Thundering Herd-Hokies battle from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia on Sept. 7. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET.
  • 💪 Virginia Tech is a big 20.5-point favorite over Marshall in Week 2.
  • 🏈 The Hokies have yet to lose in the rivalry at home, a perfect 9-0.

The Hokies and Thundering Herd present one of the best Virginia-West Virginia rivalry matchups, a pinnacle for Virginia sports betting. In recent years, this matchup has gained steam, and the home side has a strong 12-0 record when they face each other. The Thundering Herd won last season's matchup 24-17 but expect a flipped script this upcoming season.

Latest Virginia Tech vs. Marshall Odds: Who Is Favored to Win? 👇

Virginia Tech is favored by 20.5 points over Marshall in Week 2, per odds from DraftKings.

🔢 SpreadVirginia Tech -20.5, Marshall +20.5
📊 MoneylineVirginia Tech -1450, Marshall +850
📈 Game TotalOver/under 52.5 points
✅ Last VerifiedDecember 20, 2024

Odds at other sportsbooks, like BetRivers, may differ slightly.

Virginia Tech has for the longest time had the final say in this battle, as the 2023 Marshall victory was its first in over 80 years. While Virginia Tech hasn't been known as a football school over the past few decades, it has consistently won when facing the Thundering Herd. Virginia Tech has won six of the last even games, but it is Marshall currently on a one-game winning streak. A strong Sun Belt program, it should put up a fight against its ACC rival.

What the Spread Tells Us

Despite losing to Vanderbilt in Week 1, Virginia Tech is projected to be a much better squad than Marshall heading into this game. Previous battles have been close, with two of the last three games being decided by a single-digit spread. However, VA Tech is fielding a very talented team this year.

What the Moneyline Tells Us

The moneyline tells the Hokies are a strong favorite. Bettors can net a huge payout if they bet on Marshall and the Herd manage to win, but it's going to be a longshot.


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Hokies Chances to Win vs. Marshall in Week 2

The Hokies have a good chance to come out on top and regain dominance in this series. They have been dominant against Marshall over the last 100 years in Virginia, and that should be at least expected to continue. The Virginia Tech Hokies only have three players that are sophomores or younger starting, and two of those three are offensive linemen. This team is experienced, and the Virginia Tech odds reflect the Hokies' experience and location advantage.

How the Hokies Win vs. Marshall

Marshall has lost key pieces defensively, and that will come into play. Virginia Tech will be returning many key pieces, including every skill position offensive player. All three of its starting receivers are graduate transfers, so the experience is there. Marshall lost some pivotal players on the defensive side of the ball with multiple players (Owen Porter and Elias Neal) inking UDFA deals. Micah Abraham was even a sixth-round pick. Replacing that leadership could be brutal for a second-year defensive coordinator. That inexperience could make it difficult for them to both win and cover.

How the Thundering Herd Win vs. Virginia Tech

If Marshall is going to win this game, it is going to do so on the ground. The Marshall Thundering Herd dominated the Hokies on the ground last season, totaling 214 rushing yards. Thankfully for the Hokies, Rasheen Ali is no longer at Marshall. He had 27 carries for 174 yards. That type of plowing is going to be what Marshall needs to do again. Finding out a way to replace those key veteran linebackers will be huge as well, so getting its communication to that same level early in the season will be paramount for its success. If it can run consistently and take the crowd of the game, expect it to have a fighting chance.


Other Virginia Tech Matchups This Season:


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History of Hokies vs. Thundering Herd Series

The rivalry may be back and start to find more consistency as there was a near 50-year gap from 1953 to 2002. Since 2002, there have been seven battles between the two programs. Virginia Tech has won six of those, with five of them coming at home. Marshall has scored at least 20 points in three straight games after failing to top 21 in the first 10 games of the series.

Virginia Tech Hokies Eli Adams (46) embraces Marshall Thundering Herd's Steven Gilmore (34)

Hokies Record vs. Marshall

The Virginia Tech Hokies have won 10 of 13 games in the series and have won 8 of the last 10. This series goes back to 1913, when the Hokies won 47-0. In the first two games of the series, Virginia Tech came out on top 100-6. Virginia Tech has struggled on the road, winning just one of four games. However, this one will be in Virginia.

All-Time Best Virginia Tech/Marshall Games

The series might not be of huge importance to most of the country, but it is something many televisions across the Virginias will be watching. In the last two decades, there have been six battles, but only the last three have been single-digit outcomes.

Sept. 21, 2013 - Virginia Tech 29, Marshall 21

This game was a 3-overtime thriller. It was as close as it comes as well. There wasn't a single time in this game where a team led by double figures. Once Virginia Tech scored, Marshall came back down the field and scored. It was neck-and-neck until overtime. The Thundering Herd dropped 21 in the first half and then didn't score in the second 30 minutes or overtime. Nonetheless, this game was a thriller and the best in the rivalry.

Sept 21, 2023 - Marshall 24, Virginia Tech 17

This was game was a dominant ground effort from both teams. There was almost 400 rushing yards and just barely over 300 through the air. That's not necessarily a rarity, but it certainly is uncommon. The Thundering Herd were nearly touchdown favorites and covered the spread. It was also their first win since 1940, snapping an over 80-yard long drought.

Nov. 8, 1913 - Virginia Tech 47, Marshall 0

This was the first one of the series. With many of the first several not close battles, the history books only have a few other options, but in Blacksburg in 1913, these two programs took the field and competed. It was a massive and dominant victory for Virginia Tech, which came out on top by almost seven scores.

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Author

Nathan Beighle

Nathan, a lifelong Cincinnatian, has covered football at various outlets for the last half decade. He is our go-to expert for all things NFL and college football.

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