The California Golden Bears will travel to Blacksburg, Virginia, for a Week 9 showdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The game is scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025, at 7:30 PM at Lane Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN. With both teams belonging to the Atlantic Coast Conference, this game holds significant weight in conference standings. California enters this contest with a solid 5-2 record, showcasing a 2-1 record on the road. Their recent victory over North Carolina Tar Heels by a score of 21-18 hints at their capability to perform under pressure. However, their inconsistent road performance, including a 34-0 loss to San Diego State Aztecs, remains a concern. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, has struggled this season, holding a 2-5 record, and a challenging 1-4 record at home. Despite their recent 35-20 loss to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, a previous win against North Carolina State Wolfpack provides a glimmer of hope. The Hokies will aim to capitalize on their home-field advantage in this night game.
Virginia Tech vs California At a Glance
- Game Date: Friday, October 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
- Venue: Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA
- TV Channel: ESPN
- California Record: 5-2 overall, 2-1 conference
- Virginia Tech Record: 2-5 overall, 1-2 conference
- Game Odds: Virginia Tech favored by 4.0 points
Virginia Tech Hokies Gear Up for California Golden Bears Challenge
Team Overview
The Virginia Tech Hokies have had a challenging season so far, securing only two wins in their last five games. Their recent performances have seen them stumble against teams like Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. Despite these setbacks, the Hokies are determined to turn their season around.
In terms of offense, Virginia Tech has struggled to maintain consistency, ranking 93rd in passing yards with 1,385 yards. Their ground game has been more promising, ranking 58th with 1,137 rushing yards. These stats indicate that while the Hokies have potential, they need to find balance between their passing and rushing attacks.
Offensive Struggles
Quarterback Kyron Drones has been a key figure for the Hokies, amassing 1,397 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. However, with five interceptions, ball security remains a concern. Drones’ performance will be crucial as the Hokies look to improve their offensive output.
On the rushing front, Marcellous Hawkins leads with 364 yards. The Hokies will need Hawkins to continue his form and provide a solid rushing option. Terion Stewart also offers depth in the running game, contributing 325 yards despite limited appearances.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, the Hokies have been resilient against turnovers, ranking 6th in interceptions with five picks this season. They have also shown an ability to pressure the quarterback, recording 14 sacks. Maintaining this defensive pressure will be vital against the Golden Bears.
However, Virginia Tech’s defense has been porous at times, conceding 205 points so far, ranking them 112th. Improving their defensive solidity will be essential if they aim to contain California’s offense.
Betting Trends
- O/U – Totals ≤ 42: Last 5 Games → 5-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – As Favorite: Last 18 Games → 14-4 (77.8%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 27 Games → 17-10 (63.0%)
- O/U – Home Games: Last 18 Games → 11-7 (61.1%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 26 Games → 15-11 (57.7%)
- ATS – Away Games: Last 10 Games → 6-4 (60.0%)
Injury Concerns
Injuries have also impacted the Hokies, with several key players listed as questionable. The absence of Montavious Cunningham and the potential unavailability of others could pose challenges. Keeping a healthy roster will be critical for Virginia Tech as they navigate their upcoming games.
Facing California at home, the Hokies are slight favorites at -4.5 points. With a total of 49.5, oddsmakers anticipate a competitive game. Virginia Tech will need to capitalize on their home advantage to improve their standing this season.
California Golden Bears Gear Up for the Hokies
Offensive Overview
The California Golden Bears have scored 166 points this season, ranking 62nd in the nation. Their passing game is a stronger aspect of their offense, ranking 50th with 1,736 passing yards. However, their rushing attack has struggled, ranking 120th with only 680 yards on the ground.
In the previous season, the Golden Bears demonstrated a more balanced offense, finishing 31st in passing yards and 99th in rushing yards. Their offensive productivity has taken a noticeable dip this year, impacting their overall scoring output.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, California has allowed 153 points, placing them 78th nationwide. Despite this, their defense excels in turnovers, ranking 6th in interceptions and 5th in fumbles recovered. Their ability to create turnovers has been a key factor in their defensive strategy.
While the Golden Bears’ sack total has decreased from 35 to 10, they still maintain a solid ranking at 19th in the nation. This suggests a focus on forcing errors from the opposition rather than relying solely on pass rush pressure.
Recent Performances
California recently secured a 21-18 victory over North Carolina, showcasing their ability to win close games. However, their offensive struggles were apparent in a prior 45-21 loss to Duke, where turnovers proved costly with four interceptions.
The Golden Bears have shown resilience in away games, as evidenced by their 28-24 win against Boston College. Yet, they suffered a significant 34-0 defeat to San Diego State, highlighting inconsistencies in their performances.
Key Players
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele leads the passing game with 1,688 yards, ranking 38th nationally. His connection with top receiver Jacob De Jesus, who has 46 receptions for 398 yards, is vital to California’s offensive efforts.
On the ground, Kendrick Raphael has rushed for 504 yards, though the team struggles collectively in the running game. Defensively, their interception leaders have been instrumental in keeping them competitive.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 19-4 (82.6%) over the last 23 games.
- SU – After Loss: 5-0 (100.0%) over the last 5 games.
- ATS – As Underdog: 18-11 (62.1%) over the last 29 games.
- ATS – Away Games: 7-3 (70.0%) over the last 10 games.
- O/U – As Underdog: 12-7 (63.2%) over the last 19 games.
Virginia Tech vs California Prediction: Over 49.5
The upcoming game between Virginia Tech and California is expected to be a high-scoring affair, as both teams have displayed a propensity for offense this season. California has scored 166 points in seven games, while Virginia Tech has put up 161 points in the same number of contests. Both teams rank in the mid-60s nationally in points scored, indicating capable offenses that can contribute significantly to the total.
Defensively, both teams have had their struggles, which points toward a higher scoring game. Virginia Tech has allowed 205 points, ranking them 112th in the nation for points against, while California has given up 153 points. The Hokies’ defensive vulnerabilities, combined with California’s defensive ranking of 78th in points allowed, suggest that both teams could exploit the other’s weaknesses.
Additionally, Virginia Tech’s recent games have often surpassed the projected totals. The Hokies’ record in games with totals set below 42 is a perfect 5-0, showcasing a trend towards higher-scoring outcomes. Furthermore, their strong over record as favorites (14-4 in the last 18 games) signals that when they are expected to win, the games often go over the total.
Taking into account these factors, a projected final score of 31-24 in favor of Virginia Tech aligns with the expectation of a game that exceeds the 49.5 total. This prediction is supported by both teams’ offensive capabilities and defensive susceptibilities, making the over a compelling pick for this contest.
- Virginia Tech vs California Prediction: Over 49.5
- Virginia Tech vs California Score: Virginia Tech 31 – California 24
