In today's Military Bowl matchup, the Virginia Tech Hokies are favored to emerge victorious over the Tulane Green Wave. Tulane, despite an impressive 11-win season, is facing significant challenges due to several key opt-outs. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, December 27.

Tulane enters the bowl game as a 10.5-point underdog, despite boasting an 11-2 record. However, the Green Wave has been hit hard by the transfer portal, resulting in the departure of key players. Notably, quarterback Michael Pratt, who broke numerous Tulane records, will not be participating in the game as he prepares for the upcoming NFL Draft. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell and tight end Alex Bauman will also be absent from the lineup. These opt-outs have raised concerns about Tulane's offensive capabilities.

Additionally, Tulane is experiencing a coaching change, with head coach Willie Fritz leaving for the same position at Houston. This departure, coupled with the team's dashed New Six Year Bowl aspirations, may impact the Green Wave's motivation and desire to perform in the game.

On the other hand, Virginia Tech has seen improvement in their performance throughout the last six games of the season. The Hokies secured their first bowl bid since 2021 and will aim to capitalize on Tulane's challenges. Their defense has made significant strides and has held their last three opponents to fewer than 150 rushing yards.

The absence of Tulane's key offensive players and the defensive improvements of the Hokies contribute to the prediction of a low-scoring game. The expectation is that Tulane's offense may struggle, resulting in a team total under 16.5 points. The betting odds also favor Virginia Tech to lead from the beginning until the end of the game.

While the spread has grown to -10.5 in favor of Virginia Tech, the focus remains on the impact of opt-outs and the performance of both teams. Tulane's defense has been stalwart throughout the season, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to contain Virginia Tech's offense.

In recent trends, Tulane has hit the Game Total Under in 11 of their last 14 games, indicating a propensity for lower-scoring affairs. This pattern may continue in the Military Bowl.

Fans and bettors alike can look forward to an intriguing matchup as Virginia Tech and Tulane take the field in this year's Military Bowl. The challenges faced by Tulane may prove to be decisive factors in the outcome, as Virginia Tech aims to conclude their season on a high note.

Please note that the provided information only reflects what was mentioned in the provided text and does not include additional entities, numbers, or dates.