The 2023 Military Bowl is taking place in Annapolis, Maryland, with the battle of the ACC and the AAC headlining the game at Navy-Marines Corps Memorial Stadium. The 6-6 Virginia Tech Hokies take on the 11-2 AAC Championship runner-up Tulane Green Wave. Virginia Tech comes into this one winning their final game of the regular season to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2021. The Hokies have appeared in 34 bowl games and they have a 13-21 record in those games. Tulane comes into this one fresh off an AAC championship loss to SMU. The Green Wave have appeared in 15 bowl games and they have a 7-8 record in those games. Virginia Tech is a 10.5 point favorite in this one with the over/under is set at 44. Here is my preview for the 2023 Military Bowl game. 

Virginia Tech Hokies

Nobody saw the Hokies becoming bowl eligible at the beginning of the season. The Hokies proved everyone wrong and here they are. Offensively, the Hokies average 28.6 points per game to go along with 399.5 total yards of offense per game. The tides turned for Virginia Tech when they let Kyron Drones take over the starting quarterback position. Drones started in ten games this season as he threw for 1,994 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Drones is also the teams second leading rusher adding 642 rushing yards on 4.4 yards per carry and 4 rushing touchdowns. This offense will look to control the pace of the game on the ground and Drones will be a huge reason why. 

Defensively, the Hokies were pretty good in 2023. They allowed 24.3 points per game and gave up 342.3 yards of total offense per game. The Hokies also rank in the top 30 in the country in passing yards allowed per game (172.9). Only thing that is bad for this secondary is that they will be without starting safeties Nasir Peoples and Jalen Stroman due to injury. Virginia Tech gave up 30+ points in four games in 2023. The Hokies were 0-4 in those four games. This Hokies defense is solid and should be able to contain this Green Wave offense.

Tulane Green Wave

The Tulane Green Wave are coming off a AAC Championship loss to SMU. Their head coach is becoming the new head coach for Houston. All of his coaches underneath him will join him in Houston, but they are coaching in this bowl game. Former Troy head coach Jon Sumrall will coach the Green Wave in this one. Offensively, the Green Wave put up some numbers in 2023. They average 26.8 points per game and average 391.2 total yards of offense per game as well. Quarterback Michael Pratt is entering the NFL Draft and won’t play in this game. The offense will be without five starters as they enter the transfer portal, including their leading receiver Chris Brazzell. Kai Horton, their backup quarterback, entered the portal but will play in the bowl game. The Green Wave will rely on him if they want to get any sort of offense going against Virginia Tech. 

Defensively, the Green Wave were good again in 2023. They allow 18.9 points per game to go along with allowing 351.8 total yards of offense per game as well. Tulane only gave up more than 30 points once this season and that was in a Week Two loss to Ole Miss. This defense will lose five starters on defense for this bowl game including safety DJ Douglas who is an important part of their defense. The Green Wave are going to need a stellar performance from some of their number two’s if they want a shot at this Military bowl win. 

Betting Trends

-Virginia Tech is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games.

-The over is 4-1 in Virginia Tech’s last 5 games.

-Tulane is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games.

The under is 5-0 in Tulane’s last 5 games.

The Don’s Best Bet 

I think this game will have a ton of defensive stops. Not a ton of points will be scored in this one in my honest opinion. I am taking under 44 -112 for one unit. Yes, I am aware I am taking an under something I said I would never do in bowl season anymore this year. However, both defenses are good and I think both offenses are going to struggle. I see this being a 17-10 win and I am going to add Tulane +10.5 -112 for one unit as well. Two plays here to start off the Wednesday slate with a bang.