NCAA Football
2024-12-28 - Boston College Eagles at Nebraska Cornhuskers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : College Football Pinstripe Bowl
Saturday 28th December 2024 - Scheduled 12pm
5pm (British Time)
Preview
The home of the New York Yankees will be the venue for this decent looking Bowl Game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-6) and Boston College Eagles (7-5).
A generation ago, fans of the Cornhuskers would have been expecting their team to not only challenge for a spot in the new look College Football Playoff, but act as a genuine threat to win a National Championship. It has been some time since Nebraska were operating as one of the elite schools in College Football, and they have snapped an eight year gap between Bowl appearances, even if the Cornhuskers dropped five of their last six games.
There are shoots of positivity around this team and Dylan Raiola looks like a Quarter Back that will improve with the experiences earned this season.
Some reports had Raiola thinking about leaving Nebraska in the transfer portal, but the Quarter Back has denied he ever thought about that and should be stronger in 2025. Dylan Raiola looks like being the key to the Offensive output that the Cornhuskers are going to be able to produce in this one, especially if the Boston College Defensive Line continues to play as well at the Line of Scrimmage as they finished the regular season.
Putting the Cornhuskers behind the chains would be huge for the Eagles who can then allow their pass rush to give the Cornhuskers Offensive Line issues in pass protection. Rattling Dylan Raiola will be important for Boston College, even if the Quarter Back is likely going to find some spaces to exploit in the Secondary.
That pass rush pressure has also allowed the Eagles Secondary to make some big plays against the pass and Interceptions had been key to their performances down the stretch.
Senior players look like they want to end their College career on a high for the Boston College Eagles, although this is going to be an Offensive challenge for the team.
Running the ball against Nebraska's Defensive Line has been difficult all season and that will mean the pressure is on Quarter Back Grayson James.
He has built up some experience having taken over as the starting Quarter Back at the back end of the regular season and Grayson James is likely to have time in the pocket, even if the Eagles have struggled to keep him in front of the chains. Unlike Boston College, Nebraska's pass rush had been struggling at the end of the regular season and it should mean James has a clean pocket from which to have a decent game throwing against this Secondary.
Consistent drives will be tough for both teams, but Grayson James has at least been efficient with his passing. Avoiding turnovers could be key for Boston College in keeping this one competitive and they may be getting enough points in a neutral venue to cover as the underdog.
Nebraska will be keen to secure a first winning record since 2016 and that motivation cannot be underestimated, but the Cornhuskers have struggled down the stretch and they may struggle to blowout this Boston College Eagles team.
Prediction
Take the points with the underdog in the Pinstripe Bowl.
The Pick :
Nebraska Cornhuskers 20-23 Boston College Eagles
