2014 Pinstripe Bowl Pick, Scenarios, and Bottom Line

Nov 1, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Charlie Callinan (83) celebrates with running back Marcus Outlow (7) and running back David Dudeck (26) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

2014 Pinstripe Bowl Pick: Bottom Line

This has the potential to be a very ugly, low-scoring game. Most Boston College fans who have done their research on the opponent (by reading this site, of course) already know this to be true.

Boston College Eagles

Both teams have good defenses, though Penn State’s statistically has been a little better. Some of that has to do with the opposition faced: only a handful of the twelve teams the Nittany Lions have seen to this point were good offensively. Yet, their defense never had a bad game, even against teams like Ohio State or Michigan State.

Boston College’s defense has had bad games (or bad halves), and we know because we witnessed them. Yet, it has proven capable enough and was the better BC unit this season. They have been improved almost across the board, from their run defense once again becoming one of the best in the nation to their scoring allowed dropping by about eight points to just 20 per game.

Unless the Eagles defense has one of those sorts of performance, Penn State will likely be under 300 yards of total offense, scoring somewhere in the teens. With that said, Tyler Murphy and the Eagles should be able to throw just enough punches on offense to stay out in front. It might not look pretty, but effective, yes.

2014 Pinstripe Bowl Pick: Detailed Pick

• Boston College 21, Penn State 17
• Boston College -2.5