WHO: Arkansas (7-5) vs. No. 22 Virginia Tech (9-4)
WHAT: The 15th Belk Bowl
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
WHERE: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
THE SKINNY: Arkansas’s season high-pointed with a 31-10 blowout of eventual SEC East champion Florida, but the Hogs were beaten by SEC West roadblocks Texas A&M, Alabama, Auburn and LSU -- by an average score of 47-17. In fact, these Hogs ranked 84th nationally in scoring defense and 101st in their five losses.
Virginia Tech, meanwhile, won the ACC Atlantic in Justin Fuente‘s first year on the job -- but managed to do so while not drawing Clemson, Louisville or Florida State in cross-divisional play. They did, of course, meet the Tigers in the ACC Championship, falling 42-35 in a game the Hokies trailed throughout but had a (fleeting) chance to tie at the end.
Arkansas has a slight advantage on offense, but the Hokies’ defense is significantly better, out-ranking the Hogs by nearly 100 spots in yards per play allowed. As long as Jerod Evans avoid turnovers -- he tossed two picks in losses to Georgia Tech and Clemson -- the Hokies should win this one.
THE PICK: Virginia Tech 34, Arkansas 23