Russell Athletic Bowl 2012: Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech game time, TV schedule, location and more

The Virginia Tech Hokies try to keep up a strong finish to what looked like a dismal 2012 campaign, as they play the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando on Friday.

The two squads couldn't have had much more different seasons: Rutgers had one of the most successful seasons it has ever had -- with a chance to win 10 games for only the third time in program history -- after winning a share of the Big East title for the first time ever. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech seemed destined to at least go to the conference championship game after an overtime win against Georgia Tech Week 1, but lost six of their first ten games, leaving them in need of wins against Boston College and Virginia to become bowl eligible. They did it, barely, needing an overtime touchdown pass from Logan Thomas to Randall Dunn to knock off the Eagles, and beating the Cavaliers by three in an intra-state rivalry.

That leaves them at 6-6, and bowl season is a new season. Rutgers may have more wins than Virginia Tech and the fifth-best scoring defense in the country, but the quality of opponent really isn't there. The Hokies beat three bowl-bound teams and had to play two ranked teams, while Rutgers beat only two bowl teams and didn't have to play a ranked team all year.

Here's the info on Friday afternoon's bowl game:

Game date and time

Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m.

Location

Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida

Spread

The Hokies opened as 1.5-point favorites, now favored by 2- to 2.5-points

TV schedule

ESPN

Watch online

WatchESPN

Radio schedule

ESPN Radio

Last year’s game

Florida State, 18, Notre Dame, 14

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