Boston College-Vanderbilt: The Complete Music City Bowl Guide

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No. 24 Boston College (9-4) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6)

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, 3:30 PM ET

LP Field, Nashville, TN

Spread: Boston College -4

How they got here...

Boston College is making its 10th-straight bowl appearance, and they're also leading the nation with an eight-game bowl-winning streak. The Eagles were the ACC Atlantic Division champs, but failed to beat Virginia Tech in the conference championship game finishing the season 9-4 and ready to extend their winning streak to nine.

Vanderbilt was the nation's Cinderella story early in the season with a 5-0 start that was sending shockwaves through college football circles, especially those in the SEC. But after their fantastic start, the Commodores lost seven of their last eight games finishing fourth in the SEC East.

Statistically speaking...

The story for both of these teams are the defenses.

Boston College led the nation with 26 interceptions. They also accumulated a whopping 36 interceptions and three shutouts.

The Commodores also had big numbers in the interceptions category with 18, second in the SEC.

Offensively speaking neither team had a 1,000-yard rusher and neither team had a quarterback with a completion percentage better than 55 percent.

Boston College is averaging 25.5 points per game compared to Vandy's 19.4. Expect a low-scoring game that will boast of turnovers and big plays on the defensive side of the ball.

Boston College wins if...

...Mark Herzlich and the Eagle defense control the game. With starting quarterback Chris Crane out of the picture with a fractured collarbone, redshirt freshman Dominique Davis will have to stay poised and lead the BC offense down the field.

In only his third start, and first bowl game, he can't be expected to be particularly effective. In the conference championship game against the Hokies, Davis threw two costly interceptions.

Vanderbilt wins if...

...They end the season like they started. The Commodores aren't bringing much to the table except for an exceptional all-SEC cornerback D.J. Moore.

Moore is a multi-threat player who also returns punts and kicks and has even caught two touchdown passes. They need to get the ball in this playmaker's hands, and put it all on the table, and try to get their first bowl win since 1955.

B/R Expert Picks:

Trey Bradley               Boston College

Lisa Horne                  Boston College

Mitch                         Boston College

Brian Scott                 Boston College

David Wunderich          Boston College

Justin Goar                 Vanderbilt

GeorgiaDawg               Boston College

Michael Cline               Boston College