Oh, these teams will care.
Boston College is in its first year under head coach Bill O’Brien, and the program, which lost seven bowl games in eight before defeating SMU in last year’s Fenway, has a chance to finish the season with four wins in the last five games and enter the offseason on a high.
Nebraska has not played in a bowl game since the 2016 Music City, and it has not won one since the 2015 Foster Farms against UCLA. It is been a long journey to get here, and there is still a lot to play for.
Nebraska, the football program that had been the model of consistency for so long, has not won a season since 2016, and only once since 2014. When it comes to momentum and the offseason, 7-6 is a big deal.
Nebraska vs Boston College: How to Watch the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, Game Preview
Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch: ABC
Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Teams: Nebraska (6-6), Boston College (7-5)
Why Boston College Will Win
Yes, Nebraska cares about playing in a bowl game again, but it is also missing a number of key players. Isaiah Neyor led the team with five touchdown receptions. He is traveled with several members of the defense, including four starters.
As good as Husker star quarterback Dylan Raiola is, the ground game is what drives the offense. Nebraska is 4-0 when it runs for 149 yards or more and 5-1 when it scores 142 yards or more. Boston College’s run defense has been solid for the majority of the season, with only Virginia Tech and Missouri allowing more than 140 yards.
Boston College’s ability to generate sacks against Raiola, combined with the Huskers’ pass protection issues, should slow down their offense.
Why Nebraska Will Win
The Huskers also bring a run defense.
They are ranked 11th in the nation, allowing 106 yards per game, and they can not afford to lose. Boston College is 4-0 when it runs for 228 yards or more, 3-5 when it falls short of 180, and has a problem when it fails to average 4.4 yards per carry.
Nebraska allowed 3.5 yards per run, and only Indiana and USC have surpassed 180 yards.
But, ultimately, this is a showcase for Raiola and the Dana Holgorsen offense. In the transfer portal era, the bowl season may not have much impact on 2025, but it could be a crucial moment.
Nebraska vs Boston College: Who Will Win?
Raiola will let loose.
Again, the Huskers must run the ball effectively to even things out, but Boston College struggled this season with accurate passers.
The Eagles are 0-4 when they allow teams to complete 65% of their passes, 7-1 when they don’t, and Raiola has only failed to reach 65% four times.
Both teams will bring fire and desire, but Nebraska will be slightly more effective at controlling the clock.
Nebraska vs Boston College Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl Prediction, Betting Lines
Prediction: Nebraska 27, Boston College 21
Line: Nebraska -4, o/u: 46.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Rating: 4
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