Military Bowl: Cincinnati's strength vs. Virginia Tech's best asset
Military Bowl presented by Northrup Grumman
Cincinnati (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)
Annapolis, Md.
Dec. 27, 2014
No, this isn't a matchup of two former Big East foes.
Yes, both Cincinnati and Virginia Tech were once in the Big East conference, but at separate times. The Hokies left the Big East for the ACC after the 2003 season and Cincinnati joined the Big East from Conference USA after 2004. The two never played each other as conference opponents and last met not too far away in 2012 at FedEx Field, when Cincinnati (under Butch Jones) beat Virginia Tech 27-24.
While Jones is at Tennessee now, Frank Beamer is still at Virginia Tech. Beamer, who is coaching Saturday's game from the press box after throat surgery after the regular season, has led the Hokies to 22 straight bowl games including the Military Bowl. Though we'll admit the streak was looking a bit dicey. The Hokies needed two go-ahead scores against Virginia in the second half to make this game.
The Military Bowl is a matchup of strength vs. strength and weakness vs. weakness. After beating Ohio State, Virginia Tech's offense has looked paltry (and that may be a nice thing to say). The Hokies are 98th in points scored, 96th in rushing yards and 71st in passing yards. And their yards per play ranking is even worse. The Hokies average 4.6 yards a play, good for 114th in the country out of 128 teams.
While the Bearcats are 70th in the country in rushing yards, the passing attack is No. 13 and is No. 26 in scoring offense. Cincy also averages 6.2 yards per play, which is 27th in FBS.
On defense, it's flipped. Virginia Tech is 18th in scoring defense and 22nd in opponent yards per play. Cincinnati is 66th in points against and 92nd in the country in ceding yards per play. Which strength will falter?
Vegas odds: Cincinnati (-2.5)
FUN FACT
Virginia Tech last missed a bowl in 1992, when it went 2-8 in its second season in the Big East. While making bowls in the previous 21 seasons, it's never made a bowl at 6-6. So if the Hokies lose to the Bearcats, it'll be Tech's first losing season since that 1992 campaign.
PREDICTIONS
Graham: Cincinnati is riding its longest winning streak in five seasons and Virginia Tech's season has been wrought with inconsistency. I have a hard time seeing the Hokies keep pace in this one. Cincy 31, Virginia tech 21.
Nick: I'm going with the offense in this game as well. Making a bowl was nice for VT to continue the season, but Cincinnati gets to 10 wins. Cincinnati 30, Virginia Tech 23
Sam: Virginia Tech has a pretty tough defense, but its offense really struggles to put points on the board consistently. Gunner Kiel and the Bearcats should be able to put up enough points to pull out a win. Cincinnati 27, Virginia Tech 17.
For more Cincinnati news, visit BearcatReport.com.
For more Virginia Tech, visit HokieHaven.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
