Non-stop college football bowl action is a hallmark of the holiday season, and fans get to enjoy a loaded slate on Saturday. The second game of the day takes us to Yankee Stadium where Boston College and Nebraska square off in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl.
Kickoff is set for noon EST and both teams have a shot at achieving milestones. The Eagles are aiming for bowl wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2007, while the Cornhuskers look to snap an eight-year streak without a bowl victory.
Check below for my Boston College versus Nebraska expert predictions and best bets. Unfortunately, Massachusetts residents can’t wager on college games that involve in-state teams, but the rest of us can.
Boston College vs. Nebraska predictions and best bets
- Boston College +4: -110 at Fanatics Sportsbook
- Grayson James anytime touchdown scorer: +210 at Caesars Sportsbook
The Eagles have been extremely friendly to bettors this season. According to TeamRankings, Boston College is 8-3-1 against the spread (ATS), including covers in the final five games of the regular season. Nebraska is 6-4-2 ATS, but has covered only twice in the previous seven matchups.
The Cornhuskers have a long list of players in the transfer portal, while most Eagles are suiting up for the Pinstripe Bowl. That’s bad news for a Nebraska team that notched only one victory in its last six games.
QB Dylan Raiola is constantly under pressure and suffered the fourth-most sacks in the Big Ten. Nebraska went 5-0 when Raiola was sacked only once, and that number drops to 1-6 when Raiola is taken down twice or more.
I expect the latter when Raiola lines up against game-wrecking DE Donovan Ezeiruaku. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year has 16.5 sacks (second-most in FBS) and 21 tackles for loss (third-most in FBS).
The Cornhuskers’ offense has been inconsistent, and the problems could intensify after RB Dante Dowdell jumped into the transfer portal. Dowdell scored a team-high 12 touchdowns and no other Nebraska player has more than five.
The Eagles improved greatly at the end of the season, and I’m betting on the momentum continuing in the Pinstripe Bowl. I’m also taking QB Grayson James’ anytime touchdown odds, which come with outstanding value at +210. James recorded a rushing touchdown in three of his five games this season.
Boston College vs. Nebraska moneyline odds analysis
Why Nebraska could win as the favorite
Best odds: -176 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Boston College’s offense relies heavily on a rushing attack that gains 176 yards per game. Nebraska should welcome the challenge, as the Huskers have one of the top run defenses in FBS.
Nebraska ranks second nationally with six rushing touchdowns allowed, and opposing ball carriers only pick up 106 yards per game. Boston College has the second-fewest passing yards per game in the ACC, and it could be a long day if RB Kye Robichaux isn’t producing.
DE James Williams had the second-most sacks and LB Mikai Gbayor was fourth in tackles for Nebraska this season, and both are unavailable for the Pinstripe Bowl. The Cornhuskers’ depth will be tested, and rotational players must be ready to step up.
Why Boston College could win as the underdog
Best odds: +155 at BetMGM Sportsbook
Boston College is 4-0 in bowl games played on Dec. 28. The Eagles are hunting for consecutive bowl victories in MLB stadiums after taking down SMU in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl last season.
Head coach Bill O’Brien’s decision to bench QB Thomas Castellanos was a game-changer for the Eagles. James took over in early November and Boston College finished the year with three wins in the final four games. The only loss was a tightly-contested matchup with SMU.
James will need a strong performance if the rushing attack takes a step back against a tough Nebraska defense. However, the outcome isn’t solely on James’ shoulders. The Eagles’ defense has 23 takeaways, and Raiola has the third most interceptions in the Big Ten.