Military Bowl: Virginia Tech vs Tulane

Did you know that the Military Bowl is named such due to previous sponsors, rather than any intended affiliation with the US armed forces? Running since 2008, the first three years of this bowl game was held in Washington DC, aptly named the Congressional Bowl, and was sponsored by a bank. But since 2010, a litany of manufacturers or defense-based contractors have tied their name to it, and the Military Bowl was born. To further tie into the theme, the game was moved to the home of the Navy football team – and the game has been played at Memorial Stadium in Annapolis for a decade since.

Since the move to Maryland, the game has pitted an ACC team against an American Conference opponent, and 2023 will be no different; Virginia Tech have been here twice before, winning in 2014 before losing four years later. The Hokies hit rock bottom last season in Brent Pry’s first year in charge. Tasked with getting this progra back to it’s peak under Frank Beamer, Pry was able to get Virginia Tech bowl-eligible with four wins in the regular season’s last six games. Whilst nobody in Blacksburg will be delighted with a berth in a modest bowl game, it does at least represent improvement – and a sign that the new regime is heading in the righr direction.

The Hokies’ face a Tulane team that have been playing at a high level for the past two years. Under the guidance of Willie Fritz, the Green Wave have gone 2-4 since the start of last season, winning the American Conference last year and upsetting USC in the Cotton Bowl. A disappointing loss to SMU in this year’s conference title game was followed by the news that Fritz was leaving, heading to Houston to replace Dana Holgorsen. He’ll be replaced by former Troy HC Jon Sumrall – a savvy hire by the Green Wave, but perhaps poor timing with regards to playing in the postseason.