Nebraska vs. Boston College: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday's Pinstripe Bowl

NEW YORK – Nebraska will play in its first bowl game since the 2016 season, as the Huskers (6-6) will take on Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

As things get closer to kickoff, here are today’s key to victory for NU over BC.

Nebraska enters today’s game as a 2.5-point favorite over the Eagles. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m., and the game can be seen on ABC.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: Nebraska vs. Boston College

KEY 1: Early offensive rhythm

Coming off of a long break, it will be important for Nebraska’s offense to establish some early tempo and rhythm in this game. You would also think Dana Holgorsen has a much better handle on NU’s personnel.

KEY 2: Defensive line depth

Does Nebraska’s defensive line have enough depth to win this game? That is the biggest question and key for the Huskers. Their front-line starters are good enough, but will that be enough beyond them?

KEY 3: Protect QB Dylan Raiola

Boston College will be without its best player in this bowl game. All-American edge rusher and ACC defensive player of the year Donovan Ezeiruaku has opted not to play in the Pinstripe Bowl. This will give QB Dylan Raiola much more time now in the pocket to make throws. Ezeiruaku led the nation with 16.5 quarterback sacks.

KEY 4: Points off special teams

With temps in the upper 30s and even a chance of rain, conditions could be up in the air today in Yankee Stadium. That’s why field position and points off special teams will be a significant factor. Learning the new surface you are playing on for the kickers will also be something to watch.

KEY 5: Finish

I could see Nebraska getting off to a fast start like we saw at Iowa. The difference this time is the Big Red need to finish. Boston College is a similar team to Iowa. This will more than likely be a low-snap count eight-possession type of football game.

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Expert takes

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher

Initially, I picked Boston College to win this game close on Big Red Wrap-Up to start the month. As we move closer to kickoff, I like this match-up more and more for the Huskers. What BC does well, the Huskers do well. NU also has a significant advantage at the quarterback position, and that will be the difference.

Nebraska 27, Boston College 23

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Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

It’ll be a war in the trenches. But Nebraska’s overall talent is a notch above Boston College’s. If NU can avoid the sort of massive mistakes it made against, say, Iowa, the Huskers should prevail.

Nebraska 24, Boston College 20

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Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

Nebraska has a chance to attain tangible offseason momentum with a bowl game victory for the first time in far too long. While there’s been some transfer portal attrition, the Huskers appear to have remained locked in over the past month of preparations. I think NU matches up well in this one, especially with so much motivation on their side.

Nebraska 28, Boston College 24

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Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

Both teams with big time motivation for this one.  Nebraska looking for it’s first winning season in 8 years while Boston College can win 8 games in a season for the first time in 15 years.  We will see how much impact Dana Holgorsen can make with 4 weeks of prep time and we will see how much depth Nebraska has defensively with all of the portal entries.  It may not be pretty but somehow, someway the Huskers win its first bowl game in 9 years.

Nebraska 26, Boston College 23

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Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

As we’ve said all year, Nebraska enters these games with a lot at stake.  For so long, it was to become bowl-eligible and end a long streak.  Don’t look now, but if the Huskers drop this one, its ANOTHER consecutive LOSING season.  Don’t think its gonna happen.  BC runs the ball for a living.  Nebraska STOPS the run for a living.   We’re talking 40 degrees and cloudy skies at Yankee Stadium which are favorable conditions for some Husker chunk plays.  All I ask is that if NU wins, don’t plant the flag on the pitcher’s mound.  

Nebraska 24, Boston College 14

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Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

Like most Bill O’Brien teams BC runs the ball very well. Since the QB change they have gotten even better. Over the last four games BC is averaging 46.5 rushes and 212 yards since Grayson James took over. I could see this being a field position game with limited possessions and BC is last in the ACC in punting. The Eagles commit very few penalties but I think even with the portal entries the Nebraska defensive front will hold up and help squeeze out a 7th win.

Nebraska 27, Boston College 23

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HuskerOnline Bowl Score Predictions

Bowl games	Sean Callahan	Steven Sipple	Robin Washut	Andy Kendeigh	Jim Rose	Mike’l Severe
Boston College vs. Nebraska (-2.5)	27-23 Nebraska	24-20 Nebraska	28-24 Nebraska	26-23 Nebraska	24-14 Nebraska	27-23 Nebraska
Iowa State vs. Miami (-3.5)	38-28 Miami	31-24 Iowa State	31-30 Iowa State	38-28 Miami	28-17 Miami	34-27 Miami
BYU vs. Colorado (-4)	45-38 Colorado	31-24 Colorado	38-34 Colorado	42-28 Colorado	35-31 Colorado	34-28 BYU
Iowa vs. Missouri (-3)	23-10 Missouri	24-12 Missouri	17-4 Missouri	24-20 Missouri	31-14 Missouri	24-14 Missouri
Michigan vs. Alabama (-10.5)	41-17 Alabama	20-17 Alabama	23-14 Alabama	34-17 Alabama	28-24 Michigan	24-17 Alabama
Illinois vs. South Carolina (-9.5)	38-30 S. Carolina	35-17 S. Carolina	21-20 Illinois	27-24 Illinois	28-27 Illinois	31-23 S. Carolina

HuskerOnline Score Prediction Standings

Picker	Straight Up	Vs. Spread	Cumulative
Andy Kendeigh	55-29	50-34	105
Mike’l Severe	55-29	42-42	97
Robin Washut	51-33	41-43	92
Jim Rose	51-33	39-45	90
Sean Callahan	48-36	42-42	90
Steven Sipple	44-40	36-48	80

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Sean Callahan can be reached at [email protected] and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm.

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