Halfwits and Wagers: Boston College

Prognosticators. Pundits. Sharps. Squares. Idiots. Call us whatever you'd like. We figured what better place to toss around harebrained opinions loosely based on factual evidence and statistics than The Key Play? This season, Brian and I will be previewing each game around betting lines — both real and made up.

It seems fitting that the Hokies will be playing longtime natural contrived rival Boston College on Halloween. Both teams are struggling mightily and searching for some way out of this nightmare of a season. As members of Hokie Nation clamor to burn things down like a hell bent mob, Frank Beamer's crew is looking to turn things around and keep the bowl streak alive.

Time to pretend we have even the faintest idea what this team is. On to the lines!

Over/Under 15.5 total punts between both teams.

Brian: This may sound insane, but I think Tech will be able to move the ball a bit on the Eagles. I'm not saying they'll SCORE a lot, but they may put themselves into those terrifying situations where the Beamer Braintrust (trademark pending) has to decide whether or not to got for it, kick a field goal or punt. While it's impossible to guess what they'll decide to do each time, odds are that it'll cut into the number of times we see A.J. Hughes (who, by the way, hasn't punted more than seven times in a game this year.)

Pierson: Over. The last four matchups between these teams haven't exactly been low scoring, but then again you could argue neither team is as strong as in years past. A.J. Hughes punted 7 times a week ago versus a stingy Duke defense, and Tech's offense will have another tough task against a sound BC unit. What I'm more interested in is the battle of futility between the Eagles' offense and the Hokies' defense. BC punter Alex Howell is averaging 9 punts per game over his last 6 contests, including 22 combined in his last two. If mobile quarterback Jeff Smith misses Saturday's game due to injury, then the BC offense could be in for a long day.

Over/Under 39.9% completion percentage by Boston College quarterbacks.

Brian: This may be the most fun over/under we've ever done. If this was a fully equipped BC team, they'd probably approach 50%, but now that they're starting wannabe Flutie? It's a race to 40%, baby! It seems pretty absurd that Flutie can't go 4-10 while his poor running backs carry the ball until it runs out of air, so I'll take the over. But on the flip side, how low could this get? I'm honestly going to be disappointed every time Facyson and friends give up a catch.

Pierson: Under. Last week was the first time since their Week 2 drubbing of Howard that Eagles passers topped 38.1 percent passing, hitting on 40.9 percent of their throws. Not exactly lighting the world on fire. (Keep in mind that starter Darius Wade was lost for the season during their Week 3 loss to Florida State) The BC offensive line is in shambles, all three of their quarterback options are struggling to adapt to major college football and the Tech defense is looking to redeem themselves after another sub-par showing against Duke.

Over/Under 165 yards rushing by Boston College.

Brian: Over, over, over, over, a hundred times over. Addazio's club has lost four in a row, and will stick to the old standbys in order to drag themselves back to success. That old standby? Running the ball like they're playing rugby, which means that they'll put up a solid amount of yards. Remember, this is the same team that racked up 258 yards in Lane Stadium a year ago. 165 shouldn't be a problem.

Pierson: Over, if only because I think that is their only hope in keeping this game close. If the Eagles can manage to keep possession of the football by grinding out yards on the ground, we will all be getting flashbacks to Andre Williams' game winning run in 2013 and/or Tyler Murphy's clinching scamper a season ago. If Jeff Smith can't go, rushing yards will be harder to come by and you can probably ignore everything I just said.

Rank 'Em: Percentage of Boston College fans in Halloween costumes, those disgusting goldish "Superfan" t-shirts, or normal fan attire.

Brian: I honestly had to Google this. I don't know if I've been completely unobservant over the last few years or I've just blocked any memory of Tech games in Alumni Stadium out of my brain. But if I had to assume, we'll just see a handful of people in light jackets ready to take brisk walks around Fenway Park or something.

(And yes, 12 Hokie fans in the Northeast reading this piece, I intentionally butchered Boston geography to signify my general disdain for having to play this team every year.)

Pierson: Maybe it's just me but BC football fans have always come across as the laziest in the ACC when it comes to attire. It's one thing for fans to color coordinate (i.e. the "Sea of Red," "Orange Effect," etc.), but BC's students have been wearing those poorly designed, gross colored "Superfan" shirts for at least a decade. The question is how many of them give up on supporting their school and decide to go full fashion show and cheer for their Eagles dressed as someone from the Suicide Squad, Donald Trump or a slutty nurse? A nooner between 3-5 teams leads me to believe we'll have 75% normal attire (older fans), 15% Halloween costumes, 7% "Superfan" shirts and 3% BC hockey jerseys. Because New England.

Over/Under 99.5 rushing yards for Travon McMillian.

Brian: Probably under? I can hate on the Fighting Addazios as much as I want, but they still only give up 1.98 yards an attempt. I think if Tech wants to win this one, they'll need Michael Brewer to carry more than his share of the responsibilities.

Pierson: Over. Dude is the dude of all dudes. You would be stupid not to hop aboard the Travon Train until proven otherwise.

Over/Under 360 yards of total offense for the Hokies.

Brian:Under. Who are we kidding? They're still the Hokies, they're still coached by Scot Loeffler and they're still playing a defense that's been pretty dominant (even after playing Clemson and Florida State).

Pierson: Under. Louisville put up 365 yards last week against the Eagles, but if you remove the Clemson game from two weeks ago, the Eagles haven't given up more than 228 yards of total offense in a game this season. I wouldn't be surprised if the Hokies crack our superficial number, but the BC defense has played well and a noon kickoff in Chestnut Hill has "hangover" written all over it (myself included).

True/False: Dadi finally records a sack on Saturday.

Brian: False, if only because there won't be that many passing attempts and they'll probably be on shorter routes. It's starting to get a little disconcerting, because this isn't even a reverse jinx anymore, I just really don't see him coming up with a sack. If he goes the whole season without one, I think that'll be some sort of record for a guy who was considered a probable day two draft pick last year.

Pierson: True. For the love of God, please. It's getting to the point where I just feel bad for the guy. It's as though he's having a terrible run of bad luck that typically haunts screw-ups and people like Tsutomu Yamaguchi, who survived BOTH ATOMIC BOMBS dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Against an offensive line in disarray, surely one of Dadi's QB pressures will result in a sack. Right? RIGHT?!

Matchup Over/Under: 37.5 Points

Brian: I will go to my grave saying that a noon game in Chestnut Hill is the best home field advantage in America. When Boston College and their opponent kick off in front of 1,500 hungover fans, the other team usually doesn't show up until the second half. Couple the assumed slow start with BC's lack of a real quarterback and the inevitable Loeffler related issues that'll rear their head? Give me the under, and I feel pretty confident about it.

Pierson: Under. In some way, shape or form this game is going to be gross. It could be the BC offense...or the Hokies defense...or the Hokies offensive line...or special teams...or the "Superfan" shirts...

Spread: Virginia Tech (-2.5)

Brian: Ugly game in a sleepy environment that many teams often don't take seriously? And their opponent has an incredible defense? GIVE ME THE HOKIES ANYWAY, BABY, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO MAKE SENSE ANYMORE.

(If you need me, I'll be over in the corner sobbing uncontrollably.)

Pierson: I'm taking the Hokies OUTRIGHT. I get that it's a long trip north and the kickoff time is less than ideal — what did you expect, these team's aren't exactly banging down the door to the College Football Playoff. But this Boston College team is green and lacking playmakers all over the field. If the Hokies are unable to win Saturday's game and do so somewhat comfortably, then...oh boy...is it going to be an interesting bye week.

Disclaimer: Some of these are real betting lines, but many of them are fake and none of this is real advice that should be taken seriously.