Boston College Golden Eagles vs Nevada Wolf Pack
Sunday, 1/9/11, 9:00 PM EDT, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Nevada -10.5
Current Betting Line: Nevada -7.5
Opening Total: 55.5
Current Total: 54.5
Boston College and Nevada will meet for the first time when the two programs play in the first Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on Sunday night. The Golden Eagles top-ranked run defense is a big reason why their making a 12th straight bowl appearance. “It’s satisfying because we’re getting better every week,” said coach Frank Spaziani. “This is what we’re striving to do.” The program owned the nation’s longest winning streak in bowl games (eight) from 2000-07 until it lost in the Music City Bowl in 2008 against Vanderbilt, 16-14. Boston College has lost its last two bowl outings, including dropping a 24-13 contest to the USC Trojans in the Emerald Bowl. The team is 18-18 ATS over the past three years and has moved from a double-digit underdog on the college football lines page.
The Golden Eagles are allowing just 80.17 yards per game on the ground and have allowed just one 100-yard rusher the last two seasons. In fact, Boston College has surrendered the fewest 100-yard rushers in the country since 2005. Only eight players have been able to rack up that many yards in the last five seasons. Sunday night will provide a true test against a Nevada offense that averages 305.92 yards per game on the ground. All-ACC first team linebacker Luke Kuechly will be a player to focus on during this match-up, leading the nation in tackles and solo tackles. He has registered 10 or more tackles in 21 consecutive games.
Nevada brings in one of the most prolific offenses in the country and if not for a 27-21 loss at Hawaii during the year, the team could have possibly been invited to a BCS bowl game. The Wolf Pack are led by dynamic quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who managed to throw for 20 touchdowns and run for 20 more. “He is the leader of our team,” said head coach Chris Ault. “He makes plays. That’s what his legs do for us. He has done that throughout his career here. He is a pretty special guy.” He also has the ability to hand the ball off to running back Vai Taua, who comes in ranked sixth in the nation, averaging 127.83 yards per game. The duo have combined for 39 rushing touchdowns this season and hold the NCAA record for the most touchdowns and points scored by teammates in a career. Nevada is 0-2 ATS on a neutral field the last three years.
The Wolf Pack rank third nationally in overall (535.5 ypg) and rushing offense (305.9 ypg). Nevada set school records with 75 touchdowns and 554 total points and faces off against a Boston College squad that was No. 1 in the ACC in total defense and ranked 19th in the country in scoring defense. Nevada has rushed for at least 214 yards in every game this season, while Boston College has not allowed more than 141 yards rushing in any game this season.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Eagles due to their 15-6 ATS mark as an underdog of 3.5 to 10.0 points, while the Wolf Pack are 1-4 ATS in bowl games.
