The 19th Belk Bowl gives fans an interesting ACC vs SEC matchup as the Virginia Tech Hokies travel to Charlotte to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. Virginia Tech won their only previous Belk Bowl appearance, while Kentucky will be making their first appearance.
Virginia Tech finished the 2019 regular season with an 8-4 overall record and a 5-3 ACC record. The Hokies missed out on the ACC Championship Game by losing to rival Virginia in the final game this season. Va Tech is bowling for the 27th consecutive season, the longest streak in the nation, and will look to end their two game skid in bowls. The Hokies are 13-19 all-time in bowl games.
The Kentucky Wildcats were playing a wide receiver at QB most of the season and finished with a nice 7-5 overall record and a 3-5 record in the SEC. Kentucky is bowling for the fourth straight season and will look to improve on their 9-9 all-time bowl record.
Below is my pick for the Belk Bowl between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Kentucky Wildcats. All lines are from the William Hill Sportsbook.
Virginia Tech Hokies (-2.5) vs Kentucky Wildcats: O/U 46 points (-110/-110)
Virginia Tech’s 15 game winning streak over rival Virginia came to an end, in the Hokies final regular season game, as the Cavaliers came away with a 39-30 win. The game was tight all four quarters, but it was Virginia who scored 10 points in the final 1:23 to get the nine point win. Virginia Tech finished the regular season winning three of their final four games and went 2-3 away from Blacksburg this season. Virginia Tech is 6-6 against the spread and the under has hit in seven of their 12 games this season.
Kentucky finished their regular season with a nice 45-13 win over rivals Louisville. It was a tight first half, with Kentucky leading 17-13 at the half, but 28 unanswered points in the second half gave the Wildcats the win. The Wildcats finished their regular season winning three in a row and four of their final five games. Away from Lexington, Kentucky went 1-3. Kentucky is 8-3-1 against the spread and both the over and under hit in six of their games this season.
Series History: These two teams haven’t met since 1987, but Kentucky wins 11-6-2.
Football ATS Prediction: I like Virginia Tech -2.5.
YTD College Football Results: 68-57-2