Pinstripe Bowl: 3 bold predictions for Nebraska football vs. Boston College

It’s the eve of the Pinstripe Bowl (as I write this) and still hard to believe we are about to see Nebraska football play in a bowl game for the first time in eight years.

The Huskers are a four-point favorite for the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday (11 CST, ABC). Nebraska opened the game as a 2.5-point favorite but after two all-conference players, including the ACC Defensive Player of the Year — Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku — opted out, the line has moved higher.

The defensive lineman had 16.5 sacks this season and 21 tackles for loss. But he’s opting out of the bowl game according to Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien. The Eagles forced 1.9 takeaways per game but things will be different without Ezeiruaku on the field. Boston College only had 13.5 sacks without him.

Nebraska doesn’t have any major opt-outs to report — other than the players who have transferred. Both teams seem motivated and this should be a fun ACC/Big Ten battle.

Looking ahead to the Pinstripe Bowl, here are three bold predictions.

Dylan Raiola throws for 300 yards

Even with the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Boston College allowed 246 passing yards per game. The pass rush is essential to pass defense. It’s probably even more important than the secondary.

Boston College had 16 interceptions in 12 games and also three players who have multiple interceptions. That was with one of the best pass rushers in college football though.

Nebraska football also won’t have Isaiah Neyor for this game, but Jahmal Banks will be out there and Jaylen Lloyd will have the chance to step in for Neyor, which might be an upgrade anyway.

With Dana Holgorsen calling the plays and having a few weeks to prepare and work with the team, the Huskers will have an offensive output similar to Wisconsin.

Dylan Raiola will also hit 300 yards or will get close.

Emmett Johnson has 150 total yards

Emmett Johnson has benefited as much as any Nebraska football player since the arrival of Holgorsen. He had 188 total yards against Wisconsin and with Dante Dowdell not with the team anymore, he should get the bulk of the carries.

Johnson is averaging 6.3 receptions for 48 yards since Holgorsen started calling the plays. The screen game has drastically improved and it’s not hard to see Johnson having 50 yards or more receiving.

Getting around 100 yards rushing might be the challenge but the pass will open up the run and Johnson will rip off an explosive run or two.

It won’t quite be the Wisconsin game, but like Raiola, it will be similar to that.

Nebraska football will hold Boston College under 100 rushing yards

Quarterback Grayson James has helped Boston College win three of its last four games and averaged 227 passing yards per game. Wide receiver Reed Harris has emerged as a deep threat but the Boston College running game might be the key to it all.

The Eagles average 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and have three talented runners led by Kyle Robicahux. He’s been the bell cow for Boston College this season. Jordan McDonald averaged 7.2 yards per attempt this year and is another player Nebraska has to contain (he had 9 for 60 in the season finale).

However, with one of their best offensive lineman out of the game, the Eagles could struggle against the Nebraska football defensive line. Jimari Butler isn’t there, but Riley Van Poppel will be playing. So will Keona Davis. Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher are the most important.

They will be fresh and at times, they are immovable. This will be their final game as Blackshirts and I’m sure they want to go out with a win. They will dominate the line of scrimmage and force Boston College to be one-dimensional.

Boston College will find limited success on the ground because of those two. The Eagles won’t rush for 100 yards and they won’t win the game either.

Pinstripe Bowl prediction: Nebraska 31, Boston College 17 

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