Pinstripe Bowl Preview

Iowa and Boston College will meet in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee stadium in a game that will look like some old school Big Ten football. With cold weather predicted and both teams heavy on the ground, don’t expect to see the ball thrown around too much. Both of these 7-5 squads will look to lean on their run game and defense to try and get a much needed bowl win in the Bronx.

Quarterbacks

With Boston College losing starting freshman quarterback Anthony Brown in November, it will be up to Senior Darius Wade to lead the Eagle offense. In eight games this year, Wade has thrown for a measly 528 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. At 6’0″ and 215 pounds, I don’t expect Wade to be anything the Iowa defense can’t handle.

Iowa sophomore quarterback Nathan Stanley has had a great first year under center, accounting for 2338 yards with 25 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. While Stanley is not considered a huge dual threat, he can certainly pull it down and run with it if needed. If given time, Stanley has exceptional accuracy and can really sling it around (as seen against Ohio State). However, if the pass rush becomes a problem for the Hawks, it may spell trouble for the sophomore (as seen against Wisconsin).

All this being said, Brown is a backup and Stanley is in the first year of potentially being a three year starter. There’s no way I wouldn’t give the edge to Iowa.

Advantage: Iowa. 

Offensive Line

Both teams know how to get it done up front. Boston College has been known as “Offensive Line U” in the past, and they’re living up to that name this year. Expect BC to lean heavily on their pair of Junior tackles, both of whom have been in the lineup since arriving on campus in 2015. On the other hand, Iowa will sport major experience on the interior with youth on the edge. Injuries on the line caused freshman Tristan Wirfs and Alaric Jackson to be thrusted into starting roles sooner than expected.

Center James Daniels will be crucial to the success of the offense. Since Boston College typically runs a 4-3 defense, Daniels will find himself uncovered a decent amount of the time. This means Daniels will have to do what every offensive lineman dreads: chase linebackers. However, if Daniels can get to the second level and spring a few big runs, that could open up the passing game for Stanley.

It’s a tough call, but the Eagle’s experience on the edge will be enough to give them the advantage here.

Advantage: Boston College.

Skill Positions

This year’s Pinstripe bowl will feature two offenses with heavy ground attacks. 1400 yard rusher A.J. Dillon and Junior Jon Hilliman will likely get the majority of carries for the Eagles. Iowa will look to lean on Senior Akrum Wadley. All three backs are originally from the New England area, so don’t expect the cold weather to bother them much. I will say I’m really looking forward to watching Wadley and Dillon. Both are 1000 yard rushers and look to carry the load for their respective offenses. Both Wadley and Dillon are around 6 foot, however Dillon weighs in at a beefy 240, opposed to Wadley’s trim 190. I expect a show from these two.

At the pass-catching position, both teams rely on their tight ends and backfield to get involved as well. Expect big tight ends Noah Fant (Iowa) and Tommy Sweeney (BC) to play a big role in this game. Both have a little less than 30 receptions on the season and could be a big factor in the redzone. At wideout, look out for Kobay White. Although undersized (5’11”, 200 lbs), White has been productive for the Eagles this season, turning in 32 catches and averaging 12.4 yards a pop. For Iowa, Nick Easley will be out due to injury. The JUCO transfer had certainly become a staple in this offense and his production will be missed in the Bronx.

It’s not often Iowa will have the advantage at the skill positions and not on the offensive line, but here we are.

Advantage: Iowa.

Front Seven

The Eagles will be without premier pass rusher Harold Landry due to injury, Head Coach Steve Addazio announced today. Landry is a potential top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL draft and led the NCAA in sacks in 2016. Needless to say, this is a huge loss for the Eagle defense.

The front seven yields a ton of experience. All but one of the seven are upperclassman, with redshirt freshman John Lamot expected to make the start at middle linebacker. What Boston College lacks in recruiting ability, they compensate for in redshirting, development, and size. The defense is not an exception. While not as talented as some their ACC counterparts, BC will be fundamentally sound and smart. Although they do rank near the bottom of the ACC in rushing yards allowed per game (almost 200, yikes), don’t sleep on this defense.

Almost everything just said about the Eagles could also be said about the Hawks. Iowa will trot out a defense that is sound and features All-American linebacker Josey Jewell. Iowa has hung their hat on the defensive side of the ball for as long as anyone can remember, so don’t expect them to be intimidated by Boston College. A.J. Dillon could give the Hawks problems. However, the linebacking corps makes me think Iowa shouldn’t have too many problems here.

Advantage: Iowa, by a hair.

Secondary

Led by Junior free safety Lukas Denis, the Boston College passing defense is among the best in the ACC. Giving up around 200 yards/game through the air is not a terrible mark. With seven interceptions on the year, look for Denis to make some pivotal plays in this game. The Eagles rank first in the ACC in both interceptions and touchdowns allowed, and third in completion percentage. The Iowa passing attack has their work cut out for them. If BC wins this game, it’ll be because the secondary created some key turnovers.

The Iowa secondary is young, there’s no denying that. That being said, they’re underrated. Iowa’s opponents threw the ball against the Hawks 432 times this year, a mark that is the second most in the Big Ten, behind Northwestern. However, they ranked sixth in the Big Ten in completion percentage, giving up completions on only 56% of attempts. This young group will be led by young All-American Josh Jackson, who has shown streaks of absolute brilliance this season and is a likely first round draft pick.

Advantage: Boston College

Special Teams

As far as punting goes, neither team will have a definite advantage, as both punters are averaging roughly 40 yards a punt. That being said, punting could play a big role in this game if the offenses go cold in New York. Field position could decide this game if it’s close, so the punters will undoubtedly be on the hot seat in this one.

Where the Eagles will have the advantage is in the punt return game. Michael Walker is averaging nearly 30 yards/game, whereas Iowa as a team is only at around five. Small advantage, but an advantage nonetheless.

Advantage: Boston College

Coaching

Addazio:

7 years of Head Coaching experience

44-43 record as Head Coach

Four bowl appearances (2-2 record)

Most notable bowl victory: 2016 Quick Lane Bowl

All-Americans: One

Ferentz:

19 years of Head Coaching experience

142-97 record as Head Coach

14 bowl appearances (6-8 record)

Most notable bowl victory: 2009 Orange Bowl

All-Americans: 10

Advantage: Iowa

 

These teams are weirdly similar the more you look at them.

Boston College has two things going for them:

1) Proximity to home.

2) They’ve already played one game on a baseball field this year. (Vs. UConn @ Fenway Park in Boston)

While these things will definitely play in favor of BC, Iowa is desperate for a bowl win. Everyone in the program knows that. The last time Iowa won a bowl game was the 2010 Insight bowl. Hell, Luke Kuechly and Adrian Clayborn were still in college.

I look for Iowa to win a tight one. While I do believe Iowa is more talented and better coached, NYC is no Iowa City.

 

Iowa: 24

Boston College: 21