Week 1: Virginia vs Richmond 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Virginia Cavaliers and Richmond Spiders clash in week 1 of college football action at Scott Stadium on Saturday. The Richmond Spiders won 6 games last year and enter the sixth season under coach Russ Huesman. The Virginia Cavaliers won 6 games last year and enter the first season under coach Tony Elliott.

The Richmond Spiders averaged 24 points and 337.4 yards per game last season. Richmond allowed an average of 20 points and 331.5 yards per game last season. Beau English should take over at quarterback after 84 pass attempts last season. Jasiah Williams and Leroy Henley are a returning receiving duo that for a combined 900 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Aaron Dykes led the Spiders with 500 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Tristan Wheeler returns after leading Richmond with 114 tackles, Aidan Murray had 5 sacks and Philip O’Connor had 1 interception. Richmond returns a lot of key players from a year ago, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and this is expected to be a CAA contender this season. Wheeler is one of the top linebackers in the FCS, and Richmond did end last year on a 4-game winning streak. This is a nice measuring stick game for Richmond.

The Virginia Cavaliers averaged 34.6 points and 516.3 yards per game last season. Virginia allowed an average of 31.8 points and 466 yards per game last season. Brennan Armstrong returns at quarterback after throwing for 4,400 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Dontayvion Wicks and Keytaon Thompson are a returning receiving duo that combined for 2,100 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Mike Hollins had 200 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Nick Jackson returns after leading Virginia with 117 tackles, Hunter Stewart had 2 sacks and Anthony Johnson had 3 interceptions. Virginia ended last year horribly, but the Cavs were 6-2 heading into the last week of the season. Virginia returns nearly all of last years players on both sides of the ball, so there’s potential for a real run here. Armstrong received 14 votes for ACC preseason play of the year. Other schools will get more national spotlight, but Virginia is a legit sleeper in the ACC this season and will be worth watching rather closely, especially with a favorable home schedule. 

The Spiders are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. ACC and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Cavaliers are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 home games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games. The over is 3-1-1 in Spiders last 5 vs. ACC. The under is 9-4 in Cavaliers last 13 games overall. The Spiders are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Virginia and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

The Virginia Cavaliers are obviously clearly the better team here and have the offensive firepower to blow the doors off. However, Virginia has had a habit of giving up cheap scores and allowing lesser teams to hang around. The Richmond Spiders finished last year on a strong note, return a good amount of that squad and will obviously be the more motivated team. Possible look ahead spot for Virginia as well, with Illinois on deck next week. Give me the points.