The Hokies are still 6.5-point underdogs against a 10-2 Cincinnati team. This is a rematch of the 2014 Military Bowl that saw V-Tech down the Bearcats 33-17.

Military Bowl Betting Analysis

The Bearcats finished with the third best record in the American Athletic Conference. They beat UCLA in what was a down year for the Bruins. Their two losses came as road underdogs to both Temple and Central Florida.

It was still a major turnaround season for Cincinnati. The program was coming off back-to-back 4-8 seasons and was no longer considered the big dog in the conference. The strength of the Bearcats is the defence. Cincy allows the eighth fewest points per game at just 16.9. The Under is 7-5 in Cincy games this season.

The Hokies extended their consecutive run of bowl appearances to 26 years with their berth in the Military Bowl. The achievement is something V-Tech supporters shouldn’t dismiss – especially after the season of injuries they endured.

Virginia Tech was crushed by Pittsburgh, Miami and Notre Dame and the team was favoured in just two of its last eight games. The Hokies are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight contests while Cincy is 2-7 ATS in its last nine bowl game appearances.

Sports Interaction opened with the Bearcats giving 6.5 points. The line dropped to as short as 4 before moving back up to 5.5. The total is holding steady at 53.5.

Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati Bearcats

Bearcat backers received good news concerning their second-team All-Conference running back. Michael Warren II sat out the regular season finale against UCF but he told reporters he’ll be good to go against Virginia Tech.

Warren II ran for 1163 yards and 17 touchdowns as Cincinnati’s lead back in 2018. Redshirt freshman Desmond Ridder tossed for 2359 yards and 19 TDs with just five interceptions in his first year under centre for the Bearcats.

Virginia Tech Hokies

The Hokies never really recovered from the injury to starting quarterback Josh Jackson. He survived only three games before going down for the year. He started every game in 2017 and led the Hokies to a 9-3 regular season.

Junior and Kansas transfer Ryan Willis took over the reins with Jackson gone. V-Tech went on to lose five of seven games after the QB switch.

Bearcats vs. Hokies Prediction