An ACC title elimination game takes center stage as the SMU Mustangs host the Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday night. Both teams, sporting identical records of 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play, face a critical juncture where a third loss would severely hinder their chances for an ACC Championship Game berth, trailing behind Miami (6-0) and Wake Forest (5-1).

The Hokies, under the leadership of first-year coach James Franklin, return from a hard-fought 20-16 victory against Clemson. Meanwhile, SMU looks to bounce back from a narrow 30-27 defeat at Syracuse. Notably, the Mustangs have yet to lose at home, boasting a 5-0 record at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. In the latest odds, the Mustangs are favored by 6.5 points, with an over/under set at 56.5.

Key Predictions and Trends

• The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated the matchup 10,000 times, predicting a total score that goes Under 56.5 points.
• SMU has seen five of its eight games hit the Under this season, with four of the last five matching that trend. Virginia Tech has also trended towards the Under, with two of its last three games finishing below the total.
• Both teams excel defensively, with Virginia Tech ranked fifth in the league allowing 20.5 points per game and SMU ranked seventh at 22.3 points per game.

The model forecasts a combined score of 56 points, suggesting the Under has a 51% hit rate. Additionally, it identifies one side of the spread that wins 60% of the time based on simulations. For those looking to make informed bets, the model's insights and predictions are available exclusively at SportsLine, where it has maintained an 80-77 record on top-rated college football picks.