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to be caricatured as a salesman as soon as the team started missing blocks and dropping passes. If you'd polled mes- sage-board regulars a=er, say, the Mary- land or Illinois games, they'd have told you, probably in all caps, that Bill O'Brien would never have let it come to this. But O'Brien won only one more game last season than Franklin won this past fall. And although he did it with a true freshman starting at quarterback and a nonconference schedule that included a BCS quali:er, he also had one of the greatest wide receivers in school history and a senior-laden o;ensive line at his disposal. We don't need to wonder how big an impact Allen Robinson had on Christian Hackenberg's success last year, because it was evident in the Nit- tany Lions' opener against Syracuse. During the :rst half of that game, which Robinson sat out for disciplinary rea- sons, the Lions totaled 132 yards and scored six points. A=er he returned for the second half, they totaled 221 yards (133 by Robinson on seven catches) and scored 17 points. Penn State won that game, 23-17, but it's not hard to imagine a scenario in which Robinson sits out the whole 60 minutes and Penn State loses. So now let's try imagining something else: an alternate reality in which Robin- son elects to use his :nal season of eligi- bility rather than entering the NFL Dra=. While we're at it, let's imagine that guard Miles Die;enbach stays healthy in spring practice and that fellow guard John Urschel uses a combination of cutting- edge theoretical algebra and quantum TIM OWEN ASSISTANT EDITOR This isn't one of those scenarios in which you have one team that really wants to be there and one team that really doesn't. With 6-6 and 7-5 records, nei- ther Penn State nor Boston College suf- fered a late fall from grace and awoke from a championship dream feeling groggy and ill-prepared. Rather, this was a game they were both expecting and mildly hoping for. Motivation won't be lacking for either squad. Finally bowl-eligible, Penn State's reasoning is obvious, but this could prove to be a program victory for Boston Col- lege, too, as it perpetually :ghts PSU for recruiting territory. Expect to see a hard- fought game – maybe not the prettiest, or warmest, but one that goes down to the wire and :nishes in thrilling fashion. BC's run-:rst approach :ts right into the grips of Penn State's D. Points will still be at a premium for the PSU o;ense, but I think we'll see an improved Christian Hacken- berg behind a stronger o;ensive line. As for that thrilling :nish? How about this: Sam Ficken goes out Derek Jeter-style and nails a walk-o; in his :nal game. PREDICTION PENN STATE................................................20 BOSTON COLLEGE......................................17 LOU PRATO CONTRIBUTING WRITER Unless the coaches have made a radical change in the o;ensive play-calling and use of personnel, it seems unlikely Penn State can upset a Boston College team that has played better against tougher opposition. Of course, execution and consistency are vital, but Christian Hackenberg is still the key. If he is turned loose by the coaches and can revert to some semblance of his former self, Penn State has a chance. The game also could come down to the special teams, and ex- cept for kicker Sam Ficken, that might not bode well for Penn State, either. BC also may be more determined to win a bowl a=er its embarrassing 42-19 loss to Arizona last season, missing out on postseason action in 2011 and '12 and three consecutive losses from 2008-10. Meanwhile, even a defeat will not detract from what the dedicated, sanction-laden PSU players accomplished this year de- spite a dearth of talent and another radi- cal coaching change. The Nittany Lion fan in me wants an upset, but the sports- writer doesn't see it that way. PREDICTION BOSTON COLLEGE.................................... 24 PENN STATE................................................20 RYAN SNYDER RECRUITING REPORTER It's been an up-and-down season to say the least, but I don't think Penn State could have asked for a better situa- tion than to be invited to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. In what will likely be a home game for the Nittany Lions, I don't expect Boston College's 123rd- ranked passing game to have much suc- cess on what will likely be a cold and blustery Yankee Stadium evening. Be- cause of that, it'll be all about shutting down the run, and I think that sets up perfectly for Bob Shoop. He's had solid game plans all season, so a=er 15 prac- tices and a few weeks to heal up, I expect Penn State's defense to hold Boston Col- lege under 200 yards rushing. If the Li- ons can do that, I think we'll also see a solid showing from Christian Hacken- berg. November was a tough month, but a=er a few weeks to heal for that entire unit, I think we're going to see an o;ense that comes in focused and ready to play. Steve Addazio's team will also be moti- vated, but Penn State should be able to grind this one out. PREDICTION PENN STATE................................................20 BOSTON COLLEGE..................................... 14

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