Sugar Bowl Betting Odds

Match-Up: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech

(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

It will be a Big Ten-ACC showdown in this season’s Sugar Bowl when the Michigan Wolverines clash with the Virginia Tech Hokies on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at the Superdome in New Orleans. Kick-off is slated for 8:30 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Michigan reeled-off six straight victories to start the season but tripped-up against Michigan State 28-14 as a three-point road underdog and lost to Iowa 24-16 as a 3.5-point road favorite to finish 10-2 straight-up overall and 6-2 SU in conference play. The Wolverines were 8-4 against the spread and the total went 5-7 in 12 games this season.

Their offense only managed an average of 187.4 yards through the air this season, but was ranked 12th in the nation in rushing with 235.7 yards a game. Duel threat, Denard Robinson threw for just 2,056 yards and 18 touchdowns, but added another 1,163 yards and 16 TD’s with his legs. The Wolverine’s defense was one of the best in the country at keeping opponents out of the end zone; giving-up an average of just 17.2 points a game.

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Virginia Tech ran off 11 victories in 13 games, but had no answer for Clemson this season with a 23-3 loss to the Tigers in the regular season as a seven-point home favorite and a 38-10 loss as a seven-point favorite in the ACC title game. The Hokies were a drain on the bankroll this season with a 4-9 record ATS. The total stayed ‘under’ in eight of their 13 games this year.

Behind David Wilson’s 1,627 yards rushing, Virginia Tech’s offense was able to average 188.7 yards a game on the ground. Logan Thomas is another multi-purpose quarterback with 2,799 yards passing and 416 yards running the ball. The Hokies’ defense was just as stout as Michigan’s; giving-up an identical 17.2 points a game.

The Wolverines are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as favorites and 9-2 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games. The total has gone ‘over’ in 10 of their last 11 bowl games.

The Hokies are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as underdogs of three or less points, but 0-4 ATS in their last four games played outside the ACC. The total has stayed ‘under’ in four of their last five games as underdogs.

Game Betting Pick

Michigan comes into this matchup slightly more productive on offense with an edge in both points and total yards per game and basically equal with the Hokies on defense. It also has the edge in big-game performances as Virginia Tech has been infamous for wilting under the spotlight in recent years.