Cincinnati Bearcats (9-3 SU, 7-4-1 ATS) vs.Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6 SU, 5-7 ATS)
Military Bowl Game
Date and Time: Saturday, December 27th, 1:00pm EST
Where: Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium – Annapolis, MD
TV: ESPN
by Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: CIN -2.5/VT +2.5
Over/Under Total: 51
Bet your Bearcats/ pick at an online sportsbook where your credit card WILL work for deposits and where you’ll receive a generous 50% bonus up to $250 FREE: Bovada Sportsbook. Great live in-game betting too!
Welcome to the 6th annual Military Bowl between the Cincinnati Bearcats of the American Conference, and the Virginia Tech Hokies of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Cincy comes in at 9-3 overall, while the Hokies of Virginia Tech are a mediocre 6-6.
The betting line opens with the Bearcats as a 2.5 point favorite and the total points are set at 51. Not only does Cincinnati boast a better overall record, but they also have been more successful against the spread this season. Virginia Tech is .500 overall, but sits at 5-7 ATS, which is why over 68% of the action is wagered on the Bearcats at this time.
Virginia Tech is not a good team…they really aren’t. I am an SEC guy, but I pay a little attention to the ACC, and I am wondering how Frank Beamer is not yet on the hot seat at Va Tech. Their defense is still highly ranked year after year, but their offense is AWFUL…and I mean awful. The Hokies scoring defense is ranked 18th in the country, allowing just 20 points per game, but the offense…wow. Virginia Tech barely makes the top 100 in FBS in points scored, averaging just 23 per game. As good as a defense is, you must score points in college football to have continued success. What is truly puzzling about this team is that they beat teams like Duke and Ohio State on the road, but then they come home and lose to East Carolina and Miami. A roller coaster is what this team is. Listen, I am going to be real here, I do not like this team at all. In my opinion, they do not even belong on the same field as a team with a 9-3 record, but if the Hokies have any shot, not only do they need to continue the success on defense, they must score in this ball game. Cincinnati will put up points and if Va Tech cannot get into the mid 20s themselves, they stand no chance.
Attention Parlay Players! Payouts for mid-range parlays (5-10 teams) are almost double at Sportbet when you take advantage of their “Super Saver Bonus Program”! Dump your cheap bookie today and start getting paid more!
The Bearcats come in at 9-3 and are favored in this game. They come in ranked top 15 in passing yards, averaging about 300 a game, and the defense isn’t too bad, allowing 26 per game. After losing three straight games to Ohio State, Memphis, and Miami, the Bearcats have won seven in a row and have become one of the hottest teams in the nation. Led by quarterback, Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati has put up over 30 points in six of those seven games, and two of those, they put up over 40 and 50. This offense is clicking in a major way. I have faith that even though the Virginia Tech defense is one of country’s best, that Cincy will be able to put up some points. The key to win and cover this spread for the Bearcats is defense. They are already an okay defense, and going up against such a handicapped offense, I see no issues. However, the Bearcats cannot get lazy in this game. Ohio State did just that, and that ended up being the Buckeyes only loss of 2014.
I am predicting a low scoring, sloppy game between these two teams. I see a close, tight game until somewhere in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati makes plays to pull away. Look for a 24-14 type game, and a win for the Cincinnati Bearcats over the Hokies.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: PICK THE CINCINNATI BEARCATS -2.5 AND UNDER THE POSTED TOTAL POINTS OF 51.