Football Fever: Virginia Tech Hokies and Tulane’s Unmissable Face-Off at the 2023 Military Bowl!

The clash between the Virginia Tech Hokies, standing at an even 6-6, and the formidable Tulane Green Wave, boasting an impressive 11-2 record, is set to unfold in the distinct arena of the Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com. The stage for this gridiron spectacle is none other than the historic Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. Anticipate the kickoff at precisely 2 p.m. ET, with the broadcast available on ESPN and ESPN+. Brace yourselves for an afternoon of riveting football as these two teams vie for supremacy in this unique intersection of talent and strategy. Don’t miss the thrilling showdown at the 2023 Military Bowl as the Virginia Tech Hokies take on Tulane in an unmissable football face-off!

The Hokies concluded their regular season with an impressive 55-17 victory on November 25, securing a road win against arch-rival Virginia. Not only did they triumph on the scoreboard, covering a 2.5-point spread, but they also exceeded the Over (53) on their own. Virginia Tech showcased resilience, finishing the last six regular-season games with a 4-2 straight-up (SU) record and demonstrating consistency by covering in six of the final eight outings. The Over emerged victorious in three consecutive matches to cap off the season, contributing to a notable 6-2 record in the last eight games of the regular season.

Virginia Tech Hokies

In his second season at the helm, head coach Brent Pry has steered Virginia Tech back into bowl season after a challenging year one. Unlike the years of consistent bowl appearances from 1993 to 2019, recent times have seen the Hokies on a quest for their first winning season since the impressive streak came to an end in 2019.

The conclusion of 2023 marked a turnaround for the Hokies, overcoming a shaky 1-3 start to secure five commanding victories of 17 points or more against ACC competition. While the regular season lacked triumphs over teams with winning records, Pry’s squad is now presented with a golden opportunity to face an 11-win Tulane team in Annapolis — a potential milestone as the program seeks its first victory over an AP-ranked opponent since the 2021 opener.
In terms of offensive performance, Virginia Tech showcased a decent, albeit not extraordinary, display both through the air and on the ground. The team maintained a serviceable offense, securing the 45th rank in rushing and the 86th rank in passing. However, consistency was a challenge. Victorious in all six matchups when scoring 30, the Hokies struggled in losses, managing 17 or fewer points in five out of six defeats.

The linchpin of the offensive unit is Kyron Drones, the first-year starting quarterback, who emerged as a dynamic dual-threat player in the ACC. Despite a 58% completion rate that could use improvement, Drones exhibited sound decision-making, boasting a commendable 15-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. While exceeding 250 passing yards only once this season, he compensated as a standout runner, amassing 642 rushing yards, breaking 70 yards on four occasions. Teams, like Tulane, need to incorporate a spy in their pass coverage schemes to contain Drones’ running capabilities.

Another focal point in the offensive lineup having a breakout campaign is running back Bhayshul Tuten, leading the Hokies on the ground with 727 yards and eight touchdowns. Tuten’s pivotal 117-yard performance in the regular season finale secured Virginia Tech’s spot in the bowl season. His role extends to special teams, where he returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown against Virginia.

Although Virginia Tech leans towards a running game, exploiting the air could be advantageous against Tulane. Da’Quan Felton emerges as the Hokies’ primary target, showing improvement throughout the year. His last three games saw the highest yardage totals in his FBS career, setting the stage for a formidable matchup against Tulane’s defense, which concedes 239 passing yards per game with a 65.5% completion rate.

While Virginia Tech demonstrated reasonable ball security in the regular season with only 13 turnovers, the defense mirrored this number of turnovers generated. Despite this, the defense excels in certain aspects, particularly in defending against aerial attacks, presenting a challenge for opponents, including in the upcoming Military Bowl.

The Virginia Tech Hokies showcase their defensive prowess, ranking an impressive ninth in the FBS for the fewest passing yards allowed, holding opponents to a mere 173 yards per game. This stellar performance, combined with a solid run defense, propels Virginia Tech to the 25th spot in the FBS for the fewest yards allowed per game. The team has truly elevated its game in ACC play.

A standout player leading this defensive charge is Antwaun Powell-Ryland, the linchpin of the unit. In a remarkable Second Team All-ACC campaign, Powell-Ryland boasts 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. His commanding presence on the field translates into a formidable pass rush, ranking the Hokies in the FBS top 10 with an impressive 3.0 sacks per contest. While the team aims to improve in the turnover battle, Powell-Ryland consistently contributes by forcing three fumbles for the second consecutive season.

Adding to the defensive prowess is Dorian Strong, a key player in the elite secondary. Strong, a standout cornerback, earned an All-ACC selection for his stellar contributions. Leading the team in interceptions with three and pass breakups with eight, Strong is a force to be reckoned with. Despite a potentially reduced workload against Tulane due to their preference for running the ball and the Green Wave’s shorthanded status at quarterback and receiver, Strong remains a game-changer capable of shifting momentum with his game-altering plays.

Tulane Green Wave

Tulane notched an impressive 11 regular-season victories, earning a coveted spot in the AP Poll. However, despite their success, they find themselves as double-digit underdogs against a seemingly average 6-6 opponent. The narrative takes a turn when considering the transformations within the Green Wave since their last notable appearance in the AAC Championship Game in early December.

Following a 26-14 defeat to SMU, Tulane faced significant changes. The departure of head coach Willie Fritz to Houston triggered a ripple effect, with a substantial portion of the coaching staff, notably defensive coordinator Shiel Wood, following suit. Jon Sumrall, recruited from Troy, steps into the coaching role, but the interim head coach for the upcoming game is offensive coordinator Slade Nagle. Nagle faces the daunting task of leading a shorthanded staff in Annapolis.

The challenges for Tulane extend beyond the coaching realm. Michael Pratt, the starting quarterback and AAC Offensive Player of the Year, opted out for the remainder of the season, adding to the team’s adversity. Furthermore, key starters, including wide receiver Chris Brazzell II and free safety DJ Douglas, have entered the transfer portal. Despite these setbacks, Tulane finds solace in some portal players set to participate in the upcoming game. Notable additions include quarterback Kai Horton, tight end Alex Bauman, and defensive ends Devean Deal and Keith Cooper Jr. The Green Wave faces a unique scenario, navigating through a landscape of change and uncertainties as they prepare for their next challenge.

Horton is set for his second quarterback start this season, having previously led against Ole Miss and Southern Miss in Weeks 2 and 3. Although lacking Pratt’s mobility, Horton gained valuable experience, throwing for 417 yards and three touchdowns. His standout moment came in 2022, orchestrating an overtime comeback win over Houston. Justin Ibieta may also feature after starting one game in 2022.

Tulane, historically a run-focused team, boasts First Team All-AAC tailback Makhi Hughes, with a conference-best 1,290 rushing yards. Hughes consistently surpasses 100 yards, achieving it in seven of eight AAC regular-season contests. The run game remains stable with 80% of the starting offensive line intact, led by potential NFL Draft pick Sincere Haynesworth at center.

The receiving corps faces challenges, missing its top three options. Yulkeith Brown, with 28 receptions and 329 yards, becomes a key player. Tight-end usage is anticipated, but the absence of speedsters Jha’Quan Jackson and Lawrence Keys may limit deep shots.

Tulane’s success, boasting 11 regular-season wins, hinges on a stellar defense ranking 18th in the FBS for scoring defense (18.9 points per game). Known for stifling the run, opponents average only 93.5 rushing yards against Tulane, ranking 10th nationally.

Crucially, outgoing defensive line transfers return for this game, strengthening Tulane’s defense. Star linemen Darius Hodges and Patrick Jenkins aim to disrupt Virginia Tech’s offense. Hodges, with 7.5 sacks, and Jenkins, with 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, present a formidable challenge. Jenkins, known for a pivotal safety in the previous Cotton Bowl, aims for game-changing plays.

Tulane boasts a formidable linebacker duo in Jesus Machado and Tyler Grubbs, both leading the team in tackles and contributing significantly to run defense. However, the Green Wave faces challenges in their pass coverage, exacerbated by the departure of cornerback Jarius Monroe. To counter this, Tulane’s defensive strategy pivots to generating turnovers as an effective alternative to traditional stops. The team’s defensive backs have excelled in this aspect, maintaining a spotless record in turnover battles over their last six games. In their recent two victories, they dominated with an impressive 8-2 turnover ratio. Notably, cornerback Lance Robinson has emerged as a standout performer, securing a team-high four interceptions throughout the season.

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Virginia Tech vs. Tulane start time

• Date: Wednesday, Dec. 27
• Time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT

Virginia Tech vs. Tulane will kick off at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 27. The game will be played at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.