Free College Football Picks Today: Viriginia Cavaliers vs Old Dominion Monarchs 9/17/22

The Old Dominion University Monarchs (1-1, 0-1 Away) travel to face the University of Virginia Cavaliers (1-1, 1-0 Home) at David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium on Saturday. The Cavaliers are 8.5-point favorites, and the total is 53. Old Dominion (1-1, 0-1 Away) is coming off a 39-21 loss against East Carolina at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium last Saturday. Hayden Wolff was 18 of 29 for 275 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Blake Watson ran five times for 45 yards. Ali Jennings III caught eight passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Virginia (1-1, 1-0 Home) lost 24-3 to Illinois at Memorial Stadium last Saturday. Brennan Armstrong threw for 180 yards and two interceptions. Jay Woolfolk carried one time for 31 yards. Lavel Davis Jr. caught two receptions for 67 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since September 2019, a 28-17 win for the Cavaliers.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Monarchs are averaging 20.5 points per game so far this season, 108th in FBS, and they are facing a Cavaliers defense that has surrendered 20.5 PPG (51st). Meanwhile, Virginia has scored 18.5 points a game this season, 114th in the nation, and Old Dominion is allowing 28.0 PPG (86th).The Monarchs rank as one of the country’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (47.5, 129th), while they are 83rd in passing yards (220.0). The Cavaliers are 35th in passing yards allowed per game (178.0) and 107th against the run (184.0).Virginia is 87th in the country in passing yards per game (213.0) and 82nd in rushing (150.5). Old Dominion’s defense has been most beatable on the ground, as the Monarchs are 115th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (204.0). Against the pass, the Monarchs are 79th (231.5).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through two games, Wolff has thrown for three touchdowns (1 INT) and 220.0 yards per game to lead Old Dominion in passing. Watson leads the team in rushing with an average of 50.5 yards a game over two games. He has one touchdown on the ground. Jennings III is the Monarchs’ leading receiver with 161.0 yards a game and three TDs.Armstrong has two passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 213.0 yards per game through two games to lead Virginia. In one previous home game this season, he threw for two TDs (1 INT) and 246 yards. Perris Jones has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 65.0 yards a game through two games. He has two total touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. Davis Jr. has been the primary target in the Cavaliers’ aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 78.0 yard per game average through two appearances.