New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Penn State: Three Of Four ESPN Analysts Like The Eagles

Bowl predictions for the ESPN ACC Blog's panel of experts are in, and three of ESPN's four ACC experts like the Eagles to pull out the victory over the Nittany Lions. Everyone agrees that points will be at a premium.

Fortuna: Points will be hard to come by at Yankee Stadium. Penn State might have the nation's No. 1 rushing defense, but it struggled the one time it faced a mobile quarterback in J.T. Barrett, as Ohio State rushed for 219 yards. Tyler Murphy is an even bigger threat with his legs, and he'll be able to make a few big plays that will ultimately prove to be the difference for an Eagles team that just keeps getting better. BC 17, Penn State 13

Hale: OK, Penn State's offense isn't much to rave about, but what has been lost in the Nittany Lions' season is that the defense has been exceptional. Penn State allowed just 85 yards per game on the ground -- tops in the country -- which could negate BC's top offensive threats. Expect a low-scoring game, with the Lions having a slight edge. Penn State 17, BC 14

No Christmas card for you, David.

On the year, Jared Shanker is 10-2 picking Boston College games. David Hale and Matt Fortuna are 9-3, while Andrea Adelson is 8-4. #TeamShanker

On the Big Ten side of things, ESPN's Big Ten bloggers are predictably a bit more bullish on the Nittany Lions' chances in this one.

Why Boston College will win: It's fitting this bowl is played in Yankee Stadium because the final score might look like it belongs to a baseball game. Both teams have top-five rushing defenses and middling offensive production. Boston College quarterback Tyler Murphy, a former Florida Gator who transferred before this season, has been the X factor this season that helped BC beat USC and stick within a field goal of Florida State. Murphy does most of his damage on the ground, and that plays in Penn State's favor. But if he can break one or two big plays, that should be enough for a close win. Boston College 10, Penn State 6. -- Dan Murphy

Why Penn State will win: Let's be honest: The Nittany Lions offense is lousy, and the special teams (outside of Sam Ficken) are almost just as bad. But I'm going with Penn State for the same reason it made a bowl game in the first place: defense. Only four teams in the FBS threw for fewer yards than Boston College, and no team defended the run better than Penn State. That works right into the strengths of defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. Plus, the Nittany Lions will be motivated in their first bowl appearance since 2011. Underestimate this team at your own peril; it ended the plast two seasons with even bigger upsets. Penn State 16, Boston College 13. -- Josh Moyer

Dan Murphy and Mitch Sherman's invites to leave the Big Ten beat for the ACC are in the mail.