A showdown between 6-6 Virginia Tech and 6-6 Tulsa doesn’t seem like much of a game, but history will take place at the 2015 Independence Bowl. After 29 years and 360 games, Frank Beamer will coach his 23rd -- and final -- bowl game for the Hokies.
Watch the Tulsa vs. Virginia Tech Independence Bowl online: Time, TV schedule, live stream, 3 things to know
Virginia Tech will say goodbye to coach Frank Beamer with one last bowl game -- this time against Tulsa.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Beamer announced his retirement on Nov. 1, but he’ll still man the sideline for the only FBS program he’s ever been head coach for, as he tries to clinch his 23rd straight winning season. History is in his favor. While it’s not as flashy as his eight straight double-digit win seasons or four Orange Bowl appearances, he’s 2-for-2 in leading 6-6 teams to a bowl win in his decorated career.
A .500 Tulsa team will stand in his way the day after Christmas. The Golden Hurricane have not been especially impressive in their run to bowl eligibility. Their six wins came over teams with a combined record of 17-56. While their unique take on the Air Raid offense has helped them pile up points and passing yards, their anemic defense has given up close to 40 points per game this season. They’ve allowed 30 points or more in all but two contests in 2015.
That means Tulsa will be looking to drag the Hokies into a shootout. They could learn a thing or two from Duke, Ohio State and East Carolina. All three teams put up at least 35 points while beating Tech. However, there’s a big difference in talent between two of those teams and an AAC team that went 3-5 in conference play. Can the Golden Hurricanes elevate their game in time to ruin Frank Beamer’s final game as a head coach?
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Dec. 26, 5:45 p.m. ET, ESPN, Dave Lamont and Ray Bentley will have the call.
Radio: Virginia Tech, Tulsa
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Virginia Tech is favored by 13.5 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Gobbler Country (for Virginia Tech fans) and Underdog Dynasty (for Tulsa fans).
Three big things to know
1. Tulsa quarterback Dane Evans led the AAC in passing yardage (3,958), but those big gains didn't come with a commensurate amount of points. Evans had the fewest touchdowns of any passer in the NCAA top 12 after finding the end zone only 22 times this season. He's a streaky playmaker who has improved significantly between his sophomore and junior years, but the Golden Hurricane will need to wring every ounce of talent out of him if he's going to lead his team past the Hokies.
2. Virginia Tech will rely on senior quarterback Michael Brewer, but he's been inefficient in 2015. He missed nearly half the season with a broken collarbone and is riding a four-game interception streak into the Independence Bowl. Turnovers have been a problem for Brewer -- he's got a 30:21 touchdown:interception ratio in the past two years -- and he can't afford to spot Tulsa any extra points in the postseason.
3. The advanced stats don’t like the look of this game one bit. S&P+ predicts pain in Shreveport, calling a 12-point win in the third-most lopsided game of the bowl season. And that doesn’t even take the emotional capital of playing in Frank Beamer’s final game as head coach. Things could get ugly for the Golden Hurricane.
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