The 2018 Military Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on December 31, 2018. It was the 11th edition of the Military Bowl, and was one of the 2018âÂÂ19 bowl games concluding the 2018 FBS football season. Sponsored by defense contractor Northrop Grumman, the game was officially known as the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman.
The game was played between Virginia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Cincinnati of the American Athletic Conference (The American). The two programs had previously met 11 times, with Virginia Tech holding a 6âÂÂ5 lead in the series. It was their second meeting in the Military Bowl, having previously contested the 2014 edition, with Virginia Tech winning 33âÂÂ17.
Virginia Tech received and accepted a bid to the Military Bowl on December 2. The Hokies entered the bowl with a 6âÂÂ6 record (4âÂÂ4 in conference). After starting the season 4âÂÂ2, the Hokies lost four games in a row, then finished with two wins, giving them the six wins needed for bowl eligibility. This was Virginia Tech's 26th consecutive bowl appearance, having played in a bowl every season since the 1993 Independence Bowl.
Cincinnati received and accepted a bid to the Military Bowl on December 2. The Bearcats entered the bowl with a 10âÂÂ2 record (6âÂÂ2 in conference).