Bowl matchups tend to grow more intriguing as the new year approaches. The trend continues as Virginia Tech takes on Tulane in the 2023 Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com. The Military Bowl started as the EagleBank Bowl in 2008 with the intent of adding a bowl game to the National Capital Region. The game was moved from Washington, D.C. to Annapolis, MD in 2013 and extended its partnerships with the ACC and AAC in 2019.
2023 Military Bowl
When: December 27, 2023; 2:00 PM ET
Where: Navy/Marine Corp Memorial Stadium
TV: ESPN
History of the Matchup
Virginia Tech has played Tulane nine times with the Hokies holding a 5-4 edge in the series. Virginia Tech won the last meeting in 1989. The Hokies are playing in the Military Bowl for the third time since 2014. The previous two trips to the Military Bowl were both against Cincinnati. In 2014, the Hokies won 33-17. In 2018, they lost to the Bearcats 31-35.
Virginia Tech Players to Watch
The 6-6 Hokies are looking to finish the 2023 season on a high note in head coach Brent Pry’s second year at the helm. Coming off a 55-17 win against rival Virginia, Tech has a chance to finish the year over .500 after a 3-8 record in 2022. A win would also be a positive step in Virginia Tech’s rebirth to become the proud program it once was.
The Hokies have a versatile and potent offense, led by quarterback Kyron Drones. Drones has thrown for almost 2,000 yards as a sophomore. He will have his favorite target available for the 2023 Military Bowl, Da’Quan Felton. The 6’5” senior wide receiver led Virginia Tech in receiving in 2023 after transferring from Norfolk State. The Hokies will return the bulk of their receiving corp for the Military Bowl as well as 2024 in Jaylin Lane, Stephen Gosnell, and Ali Jennings. The bowl matchup will provide valuable opportunities for offensive personnel to get more reps together heading into the 2024 season.
Tech will also return its leading rusher, Bhayshul Tuten, but he could find yards tough to come by against the top-ten Tulane rushing defense. Tuten not only leads the team in rushing, but he’s also fifth in receptions on the year. The former North Carolina A&T transfer has also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season.
Tulane Players to Watch
Tulane finally lost former head coach Willie Fritz after another successful season in uptown New Orleans. The University of Houston hired Fritz, and Tulane has already found its new coach in Jon Sumrall. Offensive Coordinator Slade Nagle will serve as the interim head coach in the Military Bowl. Unfortunately for the Green Wave, they’ll be missing more than a head coach in the bowl game.
Starting quarterback Michael Pratt will sit out of the bowl game to begin preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft. Backups Kai Horton and Justin Ibieta are expected to split time in the absence of Pratt. Horton has played significant snaps this year, passing for 485 yards. Ibieta has one passing attempt on the year. Tulane has at least six other starters who opted out for either draft preparation or the transfer portal.
Considering the inexperience at quarterback, Tulane will likely lean on its leading rusher, Makhi Hughes. Hughes averages over five yards per carry and has over 100 more carries than any other player on the team. Although Tulane is well-balanced in terms of running and passing, the 2023 offense has been pass-dominant. The opt-outs of receivers Chris Brazzell and Jha’quan Jackson along with Pratt will change the tendencies of the offense to test a top-25 Virginia Tech defense that’s been statistically average against the run.
Tulane could be vulnerable defensively against the pass in the Military Bowl. The Green Wave will not have star cornerback Jarius Monroe and edge rusher Darius Hodges, who both opted out of the game. Virginia Tech would rather run than throw, but the Tulane secondary will be tested with the personnel losses.
