Nebraska is back in the postseason as the Huskers square off with Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday in Yankee Stadium.
The Huskers come in to the matchup sitting at 6-6 on the season and are playing in their first bowl game since the 2016 season. Nebraska surged to a 5-1 record through the first half
of the season and secured bowl eligibility with a November victory over Wisconsin. On the season, five of Nebraska’s six victories have been by 18 points or more, while five of the Huskers’ six losses have been by eight or fewer points.
Boston College posted a 7-5 record in the 2024 regular season, including a 4-4 mark in ACC games. The Eagles won three of their final four games, including victories over Syracuse, North Carolina and Pittsburgh. BC is strong at the line of scrimmage, rushing for 176.0 yards per game, while ranking 22nd nationally in rushing defense.
This will be the first ever matchup between the Huskers and Boston College.
Here’s what we’re looking for, picks to click and final predictions for Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl matchup with Boston College.
Keys to Saturday’s game:
How does Nebraska look after a layoff and a chance to make changes? This is probably a bigger deal on offense where Dylan Raiola was able to get healthy, Emmett Johnson is now the guy at running back and the wide receiver room benefits from the play design of Dana Holgorsen. Also, after asking the first question the obvious follow up becomes — can this game be a spring board for the offense in 2025? I guess we’ll find out.
While the offense could look different the defense is expected to be a little more familiar and yet there’s a chance things look different because of the personnel. What does it look like with more Riley Van Poppel upfront? Can Vincent Shavers handle some of what Mikai Gbayor brought at the second level? Where does a pass rush come from?
— Mike Schaefer
How do some different faces in bigger roles on the D-line and at linebacker handle their business? Even with the portal departures, I actually don’t think it’s a game where you’ll notice the makeover as dramatically as some think. There’s still Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, MJ Sherman, Javin Wright and John Bullock. But yes, more snaps for Cameron Lenhardt. Perhaps for Riley Van Poppel, Elijah Jeudy, Dylan Parrott and Mason Goldman too. Definitely expect to see a good amount of Vincent Shavers at linebacker. Again, some of these guys have played. But reps and responsibilities could be elevated. Can they step into it without a drop off? Better yet, step in and make those impact plays to announce their intentions heading into 2025.
It’s John Butler’s show as the D-coordinator now. And it comes in the craziest month of college football we’ve seen. With roster shakeups across the country, and an NU staff being remodeled on that side of the ball. New DBs coach Addison Williams and D-line coach Terry Bradden aren’t coaching in the bowl game. It hasn’t been the full assortment of staff Butler will normally have prepping for a game. And still there will be an expectation to play good Blackshirts ball, forcing the issue and – mainly – stopping the run. Boston College will give its share of eye candy before a snap while trying to find missed fits in the run defense. Can the Huskers have things in order under its new DC even if, to no fault of those involved, it’s been a month of changes.
— Brian Christopherson
After (cue Titanic lady 84 years gif) seven seasons of spending the holidays at home, Nebraska football finds itself in a bowl game. Things look markedly different, however, from the last time the Huskers were in a bowl. There are opt outs, transfer portal departures and a number of coaching changes that have altered the Husker roster since the last time we saw Nebraska on the field. So much of how bowl games go on the field often is determined by how players approach the game off it. Is Nebraska dialed in? You’d hope so after such a long drought and with so many veterans playing their final games in a Husker uniform.
I’m most eager to see what things look like offensively for Nebraska. Dana Holgorsen was obviously enjoying the bowl practices and getting a chance to dive in more for with his roster after having to basically build the plane as he was flying it over the final three games of the regular season. Boston College has pieces on defense that can create issues for Nebraska, but the Huskers have had a full month of preparation and practices to give Holgorsen a more complete idea of what his group looks like. Nowadays the bowl game is more of a week zero game for the following season, and Nebraska will be adding a pair of talented wide receivers to the mix for next year.
— Michael Bruntz
Picks to Click:
Pick to Click: Jacory Barney
The wide receiver could be inline for a big jump in opportunity with Isaiah Neyor opting out and Holgorsen having more time to design specific plays for the intriguing pass catcher. —Mike Schaefer
Pick to Click: Cam Lenhardt
He becomes one of the important faces of the D-line heading into 2025. He’s also playing near his home and it’d be a fitting play to jump on the trampoline with a strong game heading into next season. – Brian Christopherson
Pick to Click: Ty Robinson
The Husker defensive lineman talked all season about wanting to make it to a bowl game and finish out his Husker career the right way. Here’s guessing he gets that done. — Michael Bruntz
Score Predictions
Prediction: Nebraska 38, Boston College 20
Have some real Wisconsin 2024 feel for this one. Just think Nebraska comes out hot offensively and never really slows down. — Mike Schaefer
Prediction: Nebraska 27, Boston College 17
I liked the shape the Husker offense was taking under Dana Holgorsen’s direction and think the OC having a little more time to breathe in his new role, and bond with his QB more, will help produce a winning result. Nebraska’s first winning season since 2016 if so. — Brian Christopherson
Prediction: Nebraska 25, Boston College 17
A tight game that Nebraska will need to make a late stop to ice away. — Michael Bruntz