Your Picks on Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech

Game outlook

The Old Dominion Monarchs visit the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for noon ET. Both teams enter this college football matchup 1-0.

Virginia Tech beat VMI 73-3, producing 619 yards while allowing 83. Its defense collected five sacks and an interception, and receiver Que'Sean Brown finished with six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers document a dominant opener, but one result does not establish an expected margin against Old Dominion.

The Monarchs opened with a 31-10 victory over Norfolk State, extending their winning streak to seven games dating to last season. Quinn Henicle threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns and added 68 rushing yards and two rushing scores.

What needs closer attention

Old Dominion's offensive transition is a central consideration. According to Virginia Tech Athletics, all five of the Monarchs' 2025 starting offensive linemen departed, and Henicle replaced Colton Joseph after Joseph transferred to Nebraska. Old Dominion rushed for 182 yards in its opener, compared with its 238.3-yard average in 2025. That comparison describes the results without establishing how the new group will perform Saturday.

Virginia Tech also has corrections to make. James Franklin identified penalties as an area for improvement after the VMI game. The opening score alone should not settle expectations for this matchup.

Betting decision

Virginia Tech is listed at -1,124 on the moneyline and -19.5 (-110) against the spread. Old Dominion is +750 outright and +19.5 (-110). Over and under 48 are each priced at -110.

The opening performances do not establish that either spread price offers an advantage, and they provide too little basis for a total recommendation. The moneyline prices likewise do not establish value by themselves. Pass across these markets, with no winner or projected score selected.