Boston College vs Penn State: 5 Things You Need To Know For Pinstripe Bowl

By Tyler Brett

Boston College vs Penn State: 5 Things You Need To Know For Pinstripe Bowl

 Penn State
Matthew OHaren - USA TODAY Sports

The Big Ten and ACC square off in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl when the Penn State Nittany Lions (6-6) take on the Boston College Eagles (7-5) in Yankee Stadium on December 27. This Northeastern battle should be a hard-nosed battle between teams looking to build momentum toward 2015. Here are five things to know before you tune into this one.

5. Boston College is Building Something

 steve addazio
Bob Donnan - USA TODAY Sports

5. Boston College is Building Something

 steve addazio
Bob Donnan - USA TODAY Sports

When Steve Addazio took over in 2012, Boston College had just finished 2-12. Last season, Addazio’s first as the head coach, they went 7-6. This season, they pushed both Clemson and Florida State to the brink, losing by a combined 7 points, and with a win in this bowl game will finish 8-5, showing serious growth towards restoring respectability to Chestnut Hill.

4. Penn State Did Not Expect to be Bowling

 james franklin
Rich Barnes - USA TODAY Sports

4. Penn State Did Not Expect to be Bowling

 james franklin
Rich Barnes - USA TODAY Sports

In the summer of 2012, Penn State was handed a four-year postseason ban stemming from the Jerry Sandusky abuse scandal, so they didn’t figure to be in line for the postseason until 2016. But that ban was lifted this fall, leading to celebrations in the streets of Happy Valley and making James Franklin and company grateful for any kind of bowl bid.

3. Tyler Murphy is a Dynamic Playmaker for Boston College

 tyler murphy
Bob Donnan - USA TODAY Sports

3. Tyler Murphy is a Dynamic Playmaker for Boston College

 tyler murphy
Bob Donnan - USA TODAY Sports

After transferring from Florida and winning the starting job this fall, Tyler Murphy has added a much-needed spark to the Eagles’ offense. He set the record for rushing yards by a QB in the ACC (1,079) this season on his way to 2,605 total yards of offense and 21 total touchdowns. He is the BC offense this season and will be the key to winning this one for the Eagles.

2. Christian Hackenberg Key to Penn State Offense

 christian hackenberg
Trevor Ruszkowski - USA TODAY Sports

2. Christian Hackenberg Key to Penn State Offense

 christian hackenberg
Trevor Ruszkowski - USA TODAY Sports

After a phenomenal freshman season, Christian Hackenberg has struggled in 2014 under new head coach James Franklin. He’s completing just 54.4 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and 15 interceptions. But for the Nittany Lions to score, they need Hackenberg to find his rhythm as their running game (No. 120 in the nation) is basically non-existent.

1. Expect Points to be Few and Far Between

 mike hull
Trevor Ruszkowski - USA TODAY Sports

1. Expect Points to be Few and Far Between

 mike hull
Trevor Ruszkowski - USA TODAY Sports

It’s going to be cold in Yankee Stadium for this one, which plays into a defensive game, and Penn State and Boston College have two of the top defenses in the country, ranking No. 8 and No. 18 in scoring, respectively. Add in that their offenses rank No. 115 and No. 85 in scoring, respectively, and you have the makings of a low-scoring slug-fest.

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