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

As kickoff approaches, here’s today’s key to NU’s win over BC.

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

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KEY TO WIN: Nebraska vs. Boston College

KEY 1: Early Attack Rhythm

After a long layoff, it will be important for the Nebraska offense to find pace and rhythm early in this game. You would think so too Dana Holgorsen has a much better handle on NU’s staff.

KEY 2: Defensive line depth

Does Nebraska’s defensive line have enough depth to win this game? That’s the biggest question and the key for the Huskers. Their frontline starters are good enough, but will it extend 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 decided not to play in the Pinstripe Bowl. This will give QB Dylan Raiola I now have a lot more time to make throws. Ezeiruaku led the nation with 16.5 quarterback sacks.

KEY 4: Special Teams Points

With temperatures in the high 80s and even a chance of rain, conditions could be uncertain at Yankee Stadium today. Because of this, field position and special teams scoring will be an important factor. Getting to know the new surface on which you play for the kickers is also something special.

KEY 5: Finish

I could see Nebraska getting off to a fast start like we saw in Iowa. The difference this time is that Big Red has to finish. Boston College is a similar team to Iowa. This will most likely be a low count soccer game with eight players.

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Expert takes

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Publisher

I originally picked Boston College to win this game just before the Big Red Wrap-Up earlier this month. The closer it gets to kick-off, the more I like this Huskers duel. What BC does well, the Huskers do well. NU also has a significant advantage at the quarterback position, and that will make the difference.

Nebraska 27, Boston College 23

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Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

It will be a war in the trenches. But Nebraska’s overall talent is a step above Boston College’s. If NU can avoid the massive mistakes it made against Iowa, for example, the Huskers should win.

Nebraska 24, Boston College 20

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Robin Washut – senior writer at HuskerOnline

Nebraska has a chance to gain tangible offseason momentum with a bowl game win for the first time in far too long. Even though there has been some attrition in the transfer portal, the Huskers appear to be stuck in the final month of preparation. I think NU is a good fit here, especially with so much motivation on their side.

Nebraska 28, Boston College 24

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Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

Both teams have great motivation for this game. Nebraska is looking for its first winning season in 8 years, while Boston College can win 8 games in a season for the first time in 15 years. We’ll see how much of an impact Dana Holgorsen can have with 4 weeks to prepare, and we’ll see how much depth Nebraska has on defense with all the portal additions. It may not be pretty, but somehow, someway the Huskers win their 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, there’s a lot at stake for Nebraska in these games. For that long, it should become bowl-eligible and end a long streak. Don’t look now, but if the Huskers drop this season, it will be another losing season in a row. Don’t think it will happen. BC makes a living by passing the ball. Nebraska stops the run for its livelihood. We’re talking 40 degrees and cloudy skies at Yankee Stadium, which are favorable conditions for some Husker-Chunk games. All I ask is that if NU wins, the flag doesn’t hang on the pitcher’s mound.

Nebraska 24, Boston College 14

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Microphone’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

Like most Bill O’Brien teams, BC runs the ball very well. They have gotten even better since the QB change. In the last four games since Grayson James took over, BC is averaging 46.5 rushes and 212 yards. I would imagine this is 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 Nebraska’s defensive front will hold up even with the portal entries and help secure a seventh 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 Rankings

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 can be heard daily 6:45 a.m. and 5:05 p.m To Big red radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha in the fall and appears weekly at Nebraska Public Media Big red abstract Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

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