Watch the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Penn State game time, TV schedule, live online streaming
The Nittany Lions make their return to the postseason.
With its postseason ban lifted by the NCAA, Penn State is back in a bowl game. The Nittany Lions take on Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
Penn State is in the postseason again, but the Lions actually took a step back from the 7-5 2013 campaign. After a 4-0 start, head coach James Franklin compiled a 6-6 record in his first regular season at Happy Valley. The 2-6 mark against Big Ten competition is Penn State’s worst since 2004. The defense, led by linebacker Mike Hull, has been great in 2014, ranking eighth in the country by allowing just 17.7 points per game. However, it hasn’t been enough to overcome an offense that ranks 115th with 19.8 points per game.
Boston College has proven to be stiff competition in its second straight 7-5 season under Steve Addazio. The Golden Eagles ran all over USC in a 37-31 win over the Trojans back in September, and Florida State needed a last-second field goal to knock off BC at home in November. The Eagles are led by their quarterback-running back duo of Tyler Murphy and Jon Hillman, qwho combined to rush for 1,786 yards and 22 touchdowns.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN (Bob Wischusen, Matt Millen, Quint Kessenich)
Radio: ESPN Radio, Penn State, Boston College
Online streaming: WatchESPN
The numbers
Rankings and records: Penn State is 6-6 (2-6 Big Ten), and Boston College is 7-5 (4-4 ACC). Neither team is ranked. The Nittany Lions hold a 19-4 lead in the all-time series.
Vegas: Boston College opened as a 2.5-point favorite, and the over/under is listed at 40.
Weather forecast: 48 degrees and clear skies.
Two things at stake
Franklin was a splashy hire for Penn State, and the Lions would like to pick up a little momentum heading into Year 2 under the head coach.
Boston college is shooting for its first bowl win since the 2007 season.
One big matchup
Boston College rushing offense vs. Penn State rushing defense
While Penn State does a fine job of defending the pass, the Nittany Lions are really dominant against opposing teams’ ground game. They’re allowing a paltry 2.6 yards per carry and 84.6 per game, leading the country in both categories.
Boston College hardly throws the ball -- just 18.6 attempts per game -- and the Eagles’ rushing attack is second only to Georgia Tech’s triple-option in the ACC. Something has to give, and whichever side has more success could determine the winner of this one.
Further reading
For more on Penn State, check out Black Shoe Diaries. For all things Boston College, visit BC Interruption.
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