The Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6) and Tulane Green Wave (11-2) are gearing up for a thrilling showdown in the Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com. The highly anticipated game will take place on Wednesday at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. ET. The matchup will be broadcasted on ESPN/ESPN+.

Both teams ended their regular seasons on different notes. The Hokies finished strong with a commanding 55-17 victory on the road against rival Virginia, covering a 2.5-point spread and surpassing the over/under line of 53. They concluded the regular season with a 4-2 record straight up and covered in 6 of their last 8 outings. The over cashed in 3 consecutive games to finish, and they posted a 6-2 over/under record in their final 8 games.

Virginia Tech's roster remained relatively unaffected by the transfer portal, aside from cornerback Derrick Canteen. Canteen, however, has expressed his intention to play in the bowl game.

Tulane, on the other hand, faced some challenges leading up to the match. The team experienced significant changes with the departure of head coach Willie Fritz to the Houston Cougars. The Green Wave also saw several players opt out or enter the transfer portal. Quarterback Michael Pratt opted out, while quarterback Kai Horton is in the portal. However, Horton has been seen practicing and could potentially see playing time alongside quarterback Justin Ibieta.

The Green Wave's receiving corps has also been affected, with Chris Brazzell in the transfer portal and Jha'Quan Jackson out due to injury. Wide receiver Lawrence Keys III is also questionable to play due to an ailment. Additionally, tight end Alex Bauman has entered the transfer portal.

Tulane concluded their regular season with a 26-14 loss against SMU in the AAC Championship Game, falling short of securing their 12th win and a potential New Year's Bowl Game. They struggled in their final stretch, going just 2-5 against the spread in their last 7 games and 3-7 ATS in their final 10 regular-season contests.

This matchup marks the 10th all-time meeting between Virginia Tech and Tulane, but it is their first bowl game showdown. The Hokies currently hold a slim 5-4 series lead, with their first encounter dating back to September 22, 1956.

In terms of the odds, BetMGM Sportsbook pegs Virginia Tech as the favorite with a -400 moneyline, which would yield a fourfold return on investment. However, this is considered a high-risk bet, especially during bowl season, where various roster changes and opt-outs can significantly impact team dynamics.

Tulane, despite their roster challenges, still boasts an impressive 11-win season. They enter the game as the underdog, with BetMGM Sportsbook offering a +10.5 point spread at -110. The Green Wave will heavily rely on running back Makhi Hughes, facing Virginia Tech's rush defense, which allowed an average of 151.3 rushing yards per game.

This matchup also presents an opportunity for an under bet, with the over/under line set at 44 points (-110). Virginia Tech's defense struggled towards the end of the season, allowing an average of 27.0 points per game in their last 4 outings. Tulane's defense has been solid, allowing just 16.4 points per game in their final 5 matchups. Moreover, the Green Wave frequently cashed the under throughout the regular season.

As the stage is set for the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tulane Green Wave to clash in the Military Bowl, college football fans eagerly anticipate an exciting matchup between these two storied programs. Stay tuned for the outcome of this bowl game battle in Annapolis.

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