After getting out to a quick start, the Vanderbilt Commodores struggled to a 6-6 finish. Vandy will try and end the season on a high note when it takes on the Boston College Eagles in the 2008 Music City Bowl.
Our team of writers and handicappers break down the matchup and hand out an Music City Bowl Free Pick, which takes place Wednesday December 31 at 3:30PM ET.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sports Interaction have made Boston College –3.5 point spread favorite. The over/under for this game has been set 41 total points.
Top Public Betting Trend: The total has gone under in seven of Vanderbilt’s last nine games.
Key Stat: Boston College has struggled passing the ball this season, averaging just 168.2 passing yards per game, while Vanderbilt has been outstanding against the pass, limiting opponents to just 173.7 YPG.
Game Outlook: With the departure of quarterback Matt Ryan to the NFL, Boston College was supposed to struggle a bit this season with inexperienced players dominating the roster. But the Eagles amassed a 9-4 record this year and while they lost to Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game, it was quite an accomplishment for BC just to make an appearance in the title game. That said, Vanderbilt looks like one of those sleeper teams this bowl season – one that caught everyone’s eye in the begging of the year and then dropped off the map when they crashed back down to earth. Still, we have a gut feeling that they have one more surprise left in store for 2008 and playing in the outstanding SEC has prepared them to take on any opponent – especially one that hails from an ACC conference that was highly inconsistent this season. Vandy is better than its 6-6 record indicates and they’ll prove it on New Year’s Eve day when they use defense to shut down an young Eagle offense. For the rest of our College Football Bowl Free Pick, see below.
Our Free College Football Bowl Pick for the Music City Bowl matchup between the Boston College Eagles and Vanderbilt Commodores game is
VANDERBILT COMMODORES +3.5
TheSpread.com Projected Final Score
Vanderbilt Commodores 17
Boston College Eagles 16
We also predict that this game will GO UNDER THE TOTAL (41 Sports Interaction.com) SET BY ODDSMAKERS