Opening line and total: Pick (54)

LAS VEGAS – Kansas owns the best pointspread mark in the country thanks to an outstanding offense. However, the defense allowed an average of just 16 points per game, The Jayhawks covered 10 of their 11 games versus lined opponents.

Quarterback Todd Reesing spearheads Kansas’ balanced attack. He threw for more than 3,000 yards with 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Running backs Brandon McAnderson and Jake Sharp combined for more than 1,400 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns. Each runner is averaging more than five yards per carry.

The Hokies counter with a defense that permitted 293.3 yards per game, fifth stingiest in the nation. They ranked No. 4 in rush defense, yielding 86 yards on the ground per game.

Kansas opened the season by winning and covering against all its lined opponents. However, the final regular-season contest saw the Jayhawks drop a 36-28 decision to Missouri as two-point road favorites. The combined 64 points dipped ‘under’ the 68-point closing total.

Jayhawks critics point out that the team caught a huge break by playing an easy non-conference schedule that included Southeast Louisiana and Florida International. Kansas also avoided the powerhouses from the other part of the Big 12 Conference consisting of Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.

Kansas scored 19 points against both Colorado and Texas A&M during October road games, but was able to win 19-14 and 19-11, respectively. The Jayhawks were minus-three versus Colorado, and minus-two against the Aggies. Both totals fell well ‘under’ the 55 and 54-point closing totals.

Those betting early are certainly factoring this, because the line currently stands at Virginia Tech minus 3 ½.

The Hokies began slow, going 0-3-1 ATS in their first four contests. This included a 48-7 setback to LSU as an 11-point road underdog. The combined 55 points soared ‘over’ the 38-point closing total.

The Hokies are 7-1 ATS in their last eight overall outings and 5-1 ATS in away games this season.

The Hokies defeated Boston College, 30-16, in their last game on Dec. 1 to win the Atlantic Coast Championship. The favored Hokies covered a four-point spread at the neutral site in Jacksonville, Fla. The combined 46 points fell just ‘under’ the 47-point closing total.

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer likes to rotate senior Sean Glennon and freshman Tyrod Taylor at the quarterback position. It’s a real change of pace for defenses because Glennon is a drop-back passer and Taylor is quick and elusive. Though the Hokies average 29.3 points, they are 101st in average yards (332.5 per game).

The ‘over’ is 14-6 during Kansas’ past 20 non-conference matchups. The ‘under’ is 6-5 in Kansas’ games this season versus board teams, while Virginia Tech’s ‘over/under’ versus lined opponents this season is 6-6.

January 3, 2007