Buy Or Sell: Virginia Tech Vs Maryland 2026

0:00FanDuel is now available everywhere in the U.S. So you can get in on the sports action no matter where you are, including these places. Made this your most rewarding season ever with FanDuel. Agent location restrictions apply, product availability varies by market. CfanDuel.com for eligibility, gambling problem called 1-800-Gemmar. Welcome to the week three edition of Buy or Sell on Tech Sidelined as we talk about the upcoming football game between Virginia Tech and Maryland. Thank you to Analy Stewart for sponsoring this week's Buy or Sell. I'm Riley Klaus and I'm joined today by Chris Coleman, David Cunningham, Andy Bitter, and Nick Brown is producing the show behind the scenes. And if you're new to Tech Sidelined, what we do with Buy or Sell, it's every single week where we release five lines for the upcoming Virginia Tech football game in which we buy it if we think it will happen or we sell it if we think it will not.

1:08And you yourself can go participate at TechSidelined.com. And this year we actually have a leaderboard as well to keep track of who's doing the best of everybody. And at the end of the year, you could win a TechSidelined.com subscription. You do need to participate at least 80% of the picks to qualify for that. But if you're at the top of the leaderboard, you can do it. So we're here to talk about the matchup versus Maryland. But first let's recap what happened last week versus ODU line number one, Quinn Hennickel, the quarterback for all Dominion did have 10 plus Russia temps for Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech's defense did have eight plus tackles for loss. And the longest field goal attempt was 37 or more yards. How long was it? 39. Oh, the little 39, but then the ODU guy hit 51 yards. But tech hit a 39 yarder on the first drive of the game. You should have just bought that based on the fact that the opposing field goal kicker always does the right. I see. I felt great about the Hennickel one after like the first three sacks.

2:09And for reference, too, for that kicker was as long as of his career. It always has VMI and ODU back to back weeks where kickers hit a career. Okay. I can tell you right now, Maryland's kicker is career longest 49. So if they're lining up for like a 55 yarder right before they're not kicking in the state. Virginia Tech did score two plus times in that first quarter. And then there was not an old dominion miss you. I know you were going to play it by your base on if something happened. Green check marks. Green check marks. Yeah. Andy going five for five, David, four for five. And everyone else three for five on the staff. Andy will go to first on the season now at eight for 10. But when you look at the fans, there are still eight fans who have gone 10 for 10. Wow. This season so far in the fire sell, including 341 who went five for five last week. So make sure to participate in that. But we're down to just 10 perfect. So it could be you at the end of the year.

3:10That's perfect if you keep on rolling. But now let's go to this week's lines for the game against Maryland. And they're all passing related because there's been a lot of talk this week about what the quarterback play will look like in this game. So line number one, buy or sell that eight quarterback, throws eight plus straight completions in this game. And I'm going to hold it because I don't think there's necessarily going to be a ton of clean pockets in this game. That's my reasoning. Yeah, I saw that you're not playing VMI or Hampton anymore or you can, I guess, last week or even ODU to that effect. This is a step up in competition. I think they will be pressure that's going to lead to some throwways and then perhaps a quarterback not going to do a group that complete eight row. I bought it and I went back and looked. I was just curious like how frequent is like eight straight completions in a game. Well, like Carson back against Hokies last year, he did it like twice in the same game. Of course, but like, but like looking at, you know, I think JKS did it against tech.

4:14I think Kyron drones did it against Louisville, I think last year. So like, it's more common. Kyron did it against Louisville. Yeah, really. That is shocking to me. I went through and looked. I probably did it up until that deep ball that should have been a touchdown. So I went through and looked. It's kind of more frequent than you think. It really just depends on what kind of passes you're throwing because you're throwing deep balls or you throwing check downs. There's big difference in what the frequent is if their frequency is their card or not. So I bought it. I didn't know I'd be that different, but I'm right with Nick. Yeah, I was going to say you've got a teammate Nick. What are your reasonings here? I think he's in Grunk of Myers to check down King and he's going to be the one to do it. Well, I'm going to sell it and so as will. I just think there's going to be a deep attempt from either quarterback and enough to break that string as it's going. But we'll see what happens as we go to somebody's going to start the first quarter eight of eight. Yeah, just knock it out the way. Eighth one will be like a jet sweep.

5:14Really one of those just like they pitch it forward. Yeah, it's like that doesn't come on. So I had. So Karen. I went. I just pulled it up. Karen Jones last year. He was 11 for 24 against Louisville, but he had eight straight completions at one point. Complitions of completions. It was between the first quarter and the second quarter. Complitions of three, two, 11, one, 12, nine, five and seven. So really pushing it down the field. Three of those were to Jericis, Harrison and two of them were to camp Selvin. One of them was touchdown. I think that was that that was a back to back screen on the sideline. That's a good way to get my point here is that like it could happen quicker than you think. Well speaking of completions line number two involves the Maryland quarterback does Malik Washington throw 62% plus in the completion percentage department. I sold it because the sample size from last year says he doesn't do that very often. I think he had like seven games of 55% or less.

6:19And he also had a couple games under 50%. We've seen him play well obviously against two bad teams this year. But you know, if you put Grukomir 62% I would have said yes because he has a history of doing it going back to last season. But Washington does not have that history yet despite his start this year against a couple of sub part teams. I think I'll go all to Chris White here, but you only had this three hit this number three times in 12 games last year. He's hit it this year so far. But again, competition hasn't been great. And I think it might if they're going to move them all the air and I think they will in this game. It might be a more of a volume thing than just an efficient passing attack that they have. I bought it and I'm right with Nick again. Honestly, I think I think he's improved from freshman to sophomore year. And I think he will be a little bit more accurate. I think that I think that is a really good number because it was right around where his completion percentage was for the Hampton game in the opener. I think it'll be somewhere in the 60s. It just depends if it's higher or lower.

7:21Well, Nick once again seems like you agree. That's right. I think he's just going to try to go out and prove Jacquez right wrong. I've got to shoot out 31 27. I think he's just going to dial it up and hit 63%. I don't think it's that hard of a number to hit. Well, we've got the exact same board for both lines so far as me and Will are going to sell it with David and Nick buying both those first two. But now let's see what line three looks like, which is buyer sell that Ethan Grunkamire the Hokies quarterback throws 30 or more pass attempts in this game. I bought it because he threw you know what 40 how many 43 41 40. I can't watch it in a 41 I think Grunk had 40 what a 42 42 41 42 and how many did he have in one half against VMI. It was about 20 so he was on pace for you know 40 for that game. So I'm buying it.

8:22I can be honest making some good points that I wish I may be considered previously, but I think they will try to establish the run. I think to try to keep these past rushers off them. I think they want to do that. So maybe maybe more of a you know they could do whatever they want in those first two games essentially, especially VMI. So I think that was choosing to throw them all the match. I don't know. I think if they have the option and this one they maybe would throw a little bit less. So I said he will not get to that. I sold it. I think agree with Andy that I think Virginia Tech's running game will have much more of a role. Also playing kind of more of a straight up defense in Maryland. Then old dominion, which is kind of a little bit confusing at times and rolls down a free hitter into the box. So I think the Hokies run game kind of relieves Ethan Grunk of Meyer takes some pressure off of me. He didn't have to throw it as much. But I think that's another really good line from Nick. The interesting one on this is if the Hokies win, I think he won't hit the number. And if they lose, I think he will hit the number.

9:22Yeah, we talked about that. Yeah, that conversation. That's just the nature of the Virginia Tech historic way is played. Maybe still a bit different with this staff. Well, Nick, you are not on the same page as David in this one. I bought it just because tech through the ball a lot. And you'll see a consistency with my picks this week. I didn't want to change anything. This is actually the one that was on the fence the most. And I just ultimately decided to and because you'll see my pattern at the end. I'm going to sell as well because I think that they'll look to run the ball and Will is going to buy this one. So that one's got a good split between us so far. Well, we're going to have two more lines for you. But before we continue, let's hear from our sponsor, Anneliese Stewart. You graduated for Virginia Tech years ago. You left Blacksburg and built a good life and a good career. But you've always dreamed about returning to the new River Valley. If you're ready for that life changing move, ready to look for a home in Blacksburg or the surrounding area, contact Anneliese Stewart of Remax 8 in Blacksburg. Born and raised in the new River Valley, Anneliese has been a realtor since graduating from Virginia Tech in 2023.

10:28She knows the area and is ready to help you find a house that you can truly call home. You've waited long enough. It's time to come back home. Visit anneliese Stewart dot remax dot com to get started on your journey back to your roots. Well, thank you to Anneliese Stewart. Now let's go to line number four. Buy or sell that the teams combine for 525 plus passing yards. I bought it. I think we've seen Virginia Tech throw for a lot of yards so far on the aggregate. There hadn't been like a ton of big plays in there. But I think they're setting that up with some of that short stuff they do. So I think you'll see a couple of big plays in this game. And that will take the combined yardage over 525. Yeah, this one kind of goes against my last pick with Greccomyer under 30 attempts. But I think this is how they're going to have to get their yards in this game. I think both teams. They defend the run very well. And I think they're going to have to go to the air to move it.

11:28So 525. I was trying to do the math. And I like went to 75 and 250. What do they have to get to for that? Both these guys are coming off 300 plus yard passing games. So they have the capability. So I like this. I bought it. I sold it. And I was the only one who sold it. Honestly, I think. Oh, wolf. Yeah, I think when I looked at it and I'm like, I think it'll be like. But I think both quarterbacks will be somewhere in like two, ten to 240 range in terms of passing yards. And as a result, they'll fall like just short right around 500. But I think that's a little bit more than I expect. But I would not be shocked if I'm completely wrong wrong on this because I do think they're going to throw the ball up. Nick, you are trending yet again in the green. That's right, graphic. Another buy. 4 4 so far. I just think the 250 and 275. It'll be hit somehow somewhere by one of the or both quarterbacks will hit those lines. Well, I'm buying and will is to honestly maybe doesn't line up with my prior picks that that would happen.

12:31But I think it put perhaps still could with that number being 525. That's the one that we'll be looking at on Saturday. And now with line number five, this has a little bit to do with the quarterbacks. But this is going to be defensive focused. Does Virginia Tech finished with more sacks? And this is created by the defense that Maryland. I bought this one. Because I think I think Rukamire is a he's kind of like Nick said kind of a check down king. And didn't help him all the time last week, but against all dominion. But you still he checked it down a lot in that game. And I think tech will do some things to get the ball out of his hands early to kind of help that offensive line. And I think Washington hasn't proven yet that he's that type of quarterback. So they do it and they throw the Maryland throws a ball down the field a lot. So there will be opportunities for big plays down the field for Maryland. But that also means there will be opportunities for sacks against a couple of unproven Maryland tackles.

13:34And I think Virginia Tech will win that battle. Yeah, this is a vote for coach chaos here. I think he's just got this D line primed right now. They're doing really well getting after the quarterback. I know Maryland is too, but tech is down a little bit better these first couple games. So I bought this one. Yeah, so did I. And I think like I look at Virginia Tech's defensive ends, Aston Stevens, Malachai Williams, Cortez Harris, those guys have played so well for the first couple of weeks. I mentioned it earlier on the podcast, but I think a lot of it is just that how quickly can you get the ball out of out of your hands as a quarterback. And we talked a lot about Ethan Grukomire doing it. You kind of mentioned that Malik Washington has not necessarily done that. And I think honestly, this is a game where it's probably decided by like one sack maybe or two where it comes down to the wire. But I think tech gets him probably Malik Washington probably one more or two more than then Grunkamire is brought down because I think to be honest, I don't think he will be sacked that many times.

14:37I think when you look back at the old dominion game, it was the bad one was really the strip sack right before. Half time. There were one or two other miscommunications, but as you pointed out, like one of those was a max protected block when it was on a tight end and a tight end missed that block. So I think tech has done an okay job in protection so far. I think they will again against Maryland. Now, Will's the smart one here. He sold it because there are three outcomes here. You know, it could be a tie Maryland could win over you in a tech and win. So Will's going with it could be tie or Maryland wins. So he's well, theoretically, he's probably makes the smart. I mean, strange if you're strategy used to pick the wrong answer. I would usually as somebody went five and no last week. I just picking the correct answer each time. So only Riley and I are going to do that this week. Landie, when we look at it, Nick is going to buy that one to any reason behind it. Nick on this one. I actually was going to bring up how the odds are more in favor with the Maryland because you can tie and that would count as a cell.

15:39I just think Grunkamire is better at avoiding sex. I think Lee Quashton. He's an he's electric. But he also runs around in the pocket a lot longer than Grunkamire does. Grunkamire gets ball out faster. Lee Quashton tries to create stuff and we know if he trips up in the backfield, if he steps up into the pocket trying to scramble, he could step up. I think there's just more of a chances by how the quarterbacks play. I think there's more of a chance for Lee Quashton to be sacked than Grunkamire. Even though Grunkamire is more of a statue, I know that kind of sounds different. But I think Washington just tries to maybe do a little too much in this game. Both teams have been really good at producing sacks this season Virginia Tech with 12, which is tied at the top and then Maryland, which is in the top five as well this season. But when we take a look at the board, like you said, Andy, we're both on the same page. Chris and well pretty similar until the end there. David is kind of going your own way and then Nick is just fully buying it all this week. So we'll see what happens as that game occurs on Saturday once again, make sure to go to techsideline.com and participate in the picks as well.

16:44You have until kick off to do so at the end of the year. It could be you. That's at the top of the leaderboard. Well, that'll do it for this week's buy or sell for Chris Coleman, David Cunningham, Andy Bitter and Nick Brown pushing the buttons. I'm Riley Claus and we'll see you next week. Bye, Riley! Bye, Riley!