Nevada Wolfpack (11-1, 7-1 WAC) vs. Boston College Eagles (7-5, 4-4 ACC)
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
January 9 - 9:00 pm - ESPN
San Francisco, CA
$750,000-$825,000 payout per team
The Nevada Wolfpack may be one of the most underrated teams in the nation. With a 12-1 record, the team could have found itself in the BCS if they had beaten Hawaii. Still, the Wolfpack own wins over Boise State, Cal, and BYU, so they're not exactly unproven. Nevada's rushing game, which ranks third in the nation, is led by 1,500-yard rusher Vai Taua. QB Colin Kaepernick also has legs and ran for more than 1,000 yards this season. Nevada also boasts a pretty good defense, giving up 22 points per game.
Boston College has had two different seasons. After seven games, the Eagles started out 2-5 and looked completely out of the running for a bowl game. But they rebounded in the second half of 2010, winning their last five games to get to a respectable 7-5. Boston College has one of the worst offenses in the country, scoring 30 points only once all season. The Eagles' lone consistent offensive weapon is 1,200 yard running back Montel Harris. But if Boston College wins this game, it won't be because of their offense - it will be because of their defense, which allows under 20 points per game.
- SBN Pittsburgh analysis by Anson Whaley
SBN PITTSBURGH BOLD PREDICTION: Nevada 27, Boston College 14
Analyst Projections
Aaron - Nevada
Anson - Nevada
Jeff - Nevada
Boston College and its rugged defense led by linebacker Luke Kuechly will try to shut down Colin Kaepernick and No. 17 Nevada's potent pistol offense. The Eagles bounced back from a five-game losing streak with a five-game winning streak. Nevada roared onto the national scene by ending Boise State's dreams of a national title. Can the Wolf Pack now take down an ACC team? -- Ted Miller