Boston College Eagles vs Virginia Cavaliers Point Spread Picks

A pair of ACC teams meet here that run the football and play good defense. Boston College grinds out 175.4 rushing yards per game behind Treshaun Ward (275 yards, 6.0 ypc) and Kye Robichaux (202 yards, 4.1 ypc). The Eagles are ranked 23rd in the country defensively allowing 15.8 points per contest and just 3.1 yards per rush. B.C. is on an 8-3 run UNDER the total. Virginia averages 195 yards rushing yards per game anchored by RB Xavier Brown (293 yards, 8.9 ypc). The defense has allowed 13 points in each of its two home contests, both sailing UNDER. Take Boston College/Virginia UNDER the total. 

Virginia has turned around its season after starting 1-4 and it has now won three in a row while averaging 43.3 points. The Cavaliers had impressive victories against North Carolina and Louisville before beating FCS Abilene Christian. The Cavaliers feature QB Brennan Armstrong, who has thrown for 1,571 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 399 yards on 94 carries for a 4.2 average. Boston College has alternated wins and losses its last nine games and that means it's time for a loss as the Eagles come off a 34-27 win over Louisville. This time of year has not been kind to the Eagles, who are 1-9 ATS their last 10 December games. Also, Boston College is 3-9 ATS its last 12 games following a win while Virginia is 10-1-2 ATS after scoring at least 40 points its previous game. The Cavaliers have covered 20 of their last 27 versus teams with winning records and they are 18-7-1 ATS their last 26 home games. Take Virginia.

Virginia has won four in a row in Bronco Mendenhall's second year as coach and four of its six games this season have gone UNDER the total. A much improved defense is a major factor in the turnaround from a 2-10 season in 2016 as the Cavaliers have allowed an average of 20.0 points compared to 34 last year. Virginia defeated North Carolina last week by holding the Tar Heels to only 257 total offense yards, including just 46 passing yards. Boston College is averaging only 20.4 points and five of its seven games have stayed UNDER. The Eagles were forced to run 59 times against Louisville as starting quarterback Anthony Brown was injured after completing only 5-of-17 and then Darius Wade entered the game and was 7-of-10 for 91 yards.  Boston College is 19-6-1 UNDER its last 26 October games and 36-14-1 UNDER its last 51 road games. Also, the Eagles are 66-32-2 UNDER their last 100 games overall. Virginia is 19-7-1 UNDER its last 27 conference games and look for the Eagles to keep it on the ground again, which will use up clock. Play the UNDER.