Military Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Tulane, Predictions & How to Watch

After starting 1-3 in their four non-conference games, things looked bleak for the Virginia Tech football team in terms of getting to six wins and becoming bowl-eligible to get valuable extra practice and one more game. However, once ACC play began on Sept. 30 against Pittsburgh, everything changed for second-year head coach Brent Pry and his team.

The Hokies went 5-3 in conference play and their five wins were convincing wins where they dominated their opponent. Home wins over Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, and Syracuse, along with two dominating road victories at Boston College and Virginia got Virginia Tech to 6-6 and bowl-eligible. 

On Dec. 3, the Hokies accepted an invitation to the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland against Tulane University of the AAC, who is coming off a 26-14 loss to SMU in the AAC Championship game on Dec. 2. The only loss the Green Wave suffered during the regular season was a 37-20 loss at home in September to Mississippi of the SEC. However, when the ball kicks off in Annapolis on Wednesday, Tulane’s roster and coaching staff will look different than they did three weeks ago against the Mustangs.

Tulane’s coach Willie Fritz left to become the new head coach at the University of Houston and they have had some players enter the transfer portal or opt out of the game. Here is all the information you need to know ahead of the game.

Virginia Tech vs. Tulane football, odds, spread & total

At the time of this article being written and according to DraftKings, Virginia Tech is a 10-point favorite over Tulane and is -410 on the money line. The over/under is set at 44.5. 

Virginia Tech vs. Tulane football, How to Watch

This game will be broadcast on ESPN and FuboTV and will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Virginia Tech vs. Tulane football prediction

Since beating Virginia, 55-17, on Nov. 25 to become bowl-eligible, things have been coming up roses for the Hokies and Pry. Antwaun-Powell Ryland, Josh Fuga, Dorian Strong, and Mansoor Delane have all announced they are coming back next season on defense. Quarterback Kyron Drones, running back Bhayshul Tuten and wide receivers Ali Jennings, Stephen Gosnell, Da’Quan Felton and Jaylin Lane on offense also announced that they are returning as well.

Virginia Tech has added four players from the transfer portal and signed four Top 20 players out of the state of Virginia in the Class of 2024. The future looks bright in Blacksburg but lost in all of the announcements of players coming back and signing of recruits is the fact they got extra practice which is very valuable toward next season. The icing on the cake would be getting a win over Tulane to set them up for next fall.

With all the opt-outs for Tulane and the excitement of Virginia Tech returning to a bowl game after the 3-8 2022 season and the 1-3 start to this season, it’s hard to see the Hokies coming up short against the Green Wave.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 38, Tulane 20