Fighting Gobbler Military Bowl Predictions: Hokies vs Cincinnati

Nov 28, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies tight end Bucky Hodges (7) reacts with quarterback Michael Brewer (12) and offensive lineman David Wang (76) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Hokies defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 24-20 at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The end of the 2014 College Football season for the Virginia Tech Hokies is almost here as they have one final game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the 2014 Military Bowl. This is a very important bowl game for the Hokies as they are looking to avoid having their first losing record since 1992.

Virginia Tech got to their 22nd straight bowl game after a comeback victory against the arch rival Virginia Cavaliers for the 11th straight season. Now, the Hokies will be looking to finish the season 7-6 with a victory over the Bearcats in front of what will be a pro-Hokie crowd in Annapolis, Maryland.

Now, let’s get to the final predictions of the Hokies’ 2014 season.

Joe Vitulli

A season that started with the highest hopes after an upset win of Ohio State who is currently preparing for college football’s Final Four on New Year’s Day, will end in a whimper with the Military Bowl against Cincinnati for Virginia Tech. The Hokies were doomed by inconsistent play of their quarterback, injuries to several running backs, and too much youth on both sides of the ball.

The future may be bright for the Hokies with stud freshmen like Bucky Hodges, Isaiah Ford, and Marshawn Williams and poised to return and wreak havoc upon the ACC in 2015. But first, there is the matter of the Hokies 22nd consecutive bowl game.

Cincinnati finished the regular season 9-3 including an impressive 7-1 record in AAC this season. They will be playing for a ten-win season while the Hokies will be trying to avoid their first losing season since 1992. The young Hokies could really use this game as a springboard into next season, and end a mostly disappointing season on a high note.

I think they get it done. The Hokie pass defense was among the best in the country this season, and that will be the difference against the Bearcats and their 30 TD quarterback Gunner Kiel. The defense comes up big in this one as the offense limits mistakes and does just enough to get the W. Hokies 17 Bearcats 13.

Nov 28, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) is hit as he passes the ball as Virginia Tech Hokies defensive end Dadi Nicolas (90) and linebacker Deon Clarke (40) defend in the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Dwight Lester

The Virginia Tech Hokies have been one of the most Jekyll and Hyde teams in the nation this year. However the Hokies somehow find themselves in the Military Bowl against the Cincinnati Bearcats. The game shapes up to be another good possibly great offense versus the mad genius Bud Foster defense.

The defense will be challenged as the Cincinnati signal caller, Gunner Kiel, is a true “gunslinger”, and throws the ball to very talented receivers. The secondary will be tested, but I believe they are up to the challenge. The real test will be in the trenches. Can the Hokies front seven generate a great pass rush to harass the quarterback.

Look for Chase Williams in his last game as a Hokie to put his stamp on the game. Also, Dadi Nicolas, fresh off the announcement he will be staying for his senior, should be a handful for the Bearcat offensive line.

The defense looks to give Michael Brewer the opportunity to take advantage of the Bearcat defensive weakness in the secondary. The weapons are all around the outside for Brewer, and I think the month of rest will only help Brewer get the ball to his playmakers. Once the ball is in the playmaker’s hands, ball security will be paramount as the Bearcats are more than talented at stripping the ball from carriers.

Overall, the Hokies are going to be in another close one, but the tipping point will be the Hokie Nation who made the short trip to Annapolis for the game. The crowd will make it feel like a home game and propel the Hokies to a 24-17 victory. LETS GO HOKIES !!!!!!!!!!

Tim Thomas

Folks, this has been a very long season with tons of twists and turns from a big victory at a playoff team in the Ohio State Buckeyes and a shocking loss at a three-win Wake Forest team. There has been plenty of frustration, but some of the frustrations were appeased when the Hokies beat Virginia for the 11th straight time.

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