The 2023 Military Bowl features the 6-6 Virginia Tech Hokies against the 11-2 Tulane Green Wave. Here is the 2023 Military Bowl Preview.
Virginia Tech won six games to qualify for their first bowl game since 2021. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams: Old Dominion, Syracuse and Boston College. Their only loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game was to Purdue.
The Hokies score 28.6 points per game, ranking them 58th in the country. They pass for 210.8 yards (ranked 86th) and rush for 175.4 yards per game (ranked 46th).
Kyron Drones has been starting most of the games at quarterback for the Hokies this season. He passed for 1,993 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions on 58 percent completion. Five players have at least 200 receiving yards this season. Dae’Quan Wright is in the transfer portal, but Da’Quan Felton and Jaylin Lane lead the team with 667 and 524 receiving yards respectively.
Bhayshul Tuten leads Virginia Tech with 727 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Drones has been an effective rusher from the quarterback position with 642 yards and four touchdowns. Behind Tuten at running back, Malachi Thomas has registered 365 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, the Hokies give up 24.3 points per game, ranking them 52nd in the country. They allow 149.2 rushing yards (ranked 61st) and 172.9 passing yards per game (ranked 10th). Linebacker Keli Lawson has the team-high with 77 tackles. Antwaun Powell-Ryland leads the Hokies with 9.5 sacks. Dorian Strong has played well in the secondary with eight passes defended and three interceptions.
Tulane won 11 games to make their second-straight bowl game. They have victories over four bowl-eligible teams: South Alabama, Memphis, Rice and UTSA. Both of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams.
The Green Wave score 26.8 points per game, ranking 69th in the country. They pass for 222.4 points per game (ranked 71st) and rush for 156.8 yards per game (ranked 68th).
Michael Pratt returned at quarterback for the Green Wave this season. He has passed for 2,406 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions on 65.4 percent completion. Five receivers have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Top receiver Chris Brazzell is in the transfer portal and so too is Alex Bauman. Lawrence Keys III and Jha’Quan Jackson will need to step up their games after having 599 and 439 receiving yards respectively this season.
Makhi Hughes has received the bulk of the work out of the backfield for the Green Wave. He has 1,290 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Behind him Shaadie Clayton-Johnson an Arnold Barnes each have over 100 yards on the season.
On defense, Tulane gives up 18.9 points per game, ranking them 19th in the FBS. They allow 93.5 rushing yards (ranked seventh) and 239.2 passing yards per game (ranked 91st). Linebacker Jesus Machado leads the team with 98 total tackles. Darius Hodges has a team-high with 7.5 sacks. Kam Pedescleaux has played well in the secondary with 12 passes defended an two interceptions.
The Green Wave are dealing with a coaching change and several key players in the transfer portal. Virginia Tech has been good with Drones at quarterback this season and it looks like he is developing well. The Hokies can win a close game.
Virginia Tech Hokies 26 Tulane Green Wave 24
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