Virginia vs. Wake Forest Prediction, Odds, Picks for College Football Week 2

It's time to continue our college football odds series with a Virginia-Wake Forest prediction and pick. Find out how to watch Virginia-Wake Forest.

The ACC has had some surprising and significant football results in the first few weeks of the season. Florida State, considered by many to win the conference championship this season, is 0-2 and all but eliminated from the College Football Playoff race. Technically, the Seminoles could still make the playoffs if they win each of their next 11 games (10 regular-season games plus the ACC Championship Game), but who in their right mind would predict that FSU would be top of the standings from here on out? Clemson has also already lost a game. The ACC has suffered some major setbacks, and its two top football franchises have already suffered losses. With that in mind, there's a chance that an underdog or Cinderella could take the lead in the conference and cause some upsets. There is a distinct feeling that everything is up for grabs in ACC football right now and that a team that isn't quite on the radar yet could become a major player in the race for the conference.

That's part of what makes this game so great for Virginia and Wake Forest. Virginia coach Tony Elliott is coming off a very rough, very miserable 2023 season, but toward the end of the season he started to get his team back on its feet. The toughness, dedication and resilience UVA showed toward the end of the season gave Elliott hope that he could turn things around for the better. This game is the first really big test for this new Virginia team. A win could be a turnaround. A good performance, even in a loss, would provide courage for the road ahead. A crushing loss would be an absolute disaster. There are so many possibilities associated with this game. Which path will Virginia take? That's a fascinating question.

Then we have to wonder which direction Wake Forest will go in Week 2. The Demon Deacons made it to the 2021 ACC Championship Game. They haven't been nearly as good since then. Can the Demon Deacons rebound and become a player in this evenly matched ACC? Right now, anything seems to be in the realm of possibility, making this game a secretly good test in Week 2.

Here are the odds for the Virginia-Wake Forest college football game, courtesy of FanDuel.

College Football Odds: Virginia-Wake Forest Odds

Virginia: +2.5 (-118)

Money line: +100

Wake Forest: -2.5 (-104)

Money line: -120

Over: 56.5 (-115)

Under: 56.5 (-105)

How to watch Virginia vs Wake Forest

Time: 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT

Television: ESPN2

Stream: fuboTV (Free Trial)

Why Virginia could cover/win the spread

The Cavaliers have made great strides in the second half of the 2023 season. If we compare the Cavaliers to Wake Forest and measure the extent of their progress and development last season, Virginia has made more progress than Wake. If that progress can be carried over to the beginning of this season and this particular game, UVA should be able to not only make up the difference but win outright.

Why Wake Forest could cover the spread/profit

Virginia made a lot of improvements last season under Tony Elliott, but now we have to ask ourselves if those improvements will truly stick and remain part of the Hoos' new football DNA. If Virginia's development in 2023 doesn't carry over into 2024 and the Cavaliers regress, Wake Forest will definitely step in.

Final prediction and picks for Virginia-Wake Forest

This game seems like an opportunity to express either skepticism or confidence in Virginia. Will the good or the bad UVA show up? We're not sure. We think you should stay away from this game.

Final Virginia-Wake Forest prediction and pick: Wake Forest -2.5