Today at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN the Boston College Eagles (7-5) will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (6-6) in front of a huge crowd at Yankee Stadium in the Pinstripe Bowl, which can be live streamed free by clicking this link. BC fans can listen to the radio broadcast on ZBC Sports Radio while Penn State fans may do likewise on 97.3 ESPN Radio.

While the Pinstripe Bowl is a far cry from Penn State's glory days from competing for national championships, it is the Nittany Lions' first bowl game in three years. "It's a huge step for so many different reasons," Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said.

"I think it's a part of us getting back to where we belong in college football. ... We couldn't be more excited."

That won't mean the BC Eagles will be backing down however. Penn State boasts one of the nation's best run defenses, but many of the Eagles' rushing yards come from quarterback Tyler Murphy. The senior's passing numbers are pedestrian-he's thrown for 1,526 yards and 11 touchdowns with 10 interceptions-but he's also chewed up 1,079 yards on the ground with another 10 scores.

The game holds great significance to BC as well as Penn State, although for different reasons. While the bowl appearance marks a return to postseason play for the Nittany Lions, a win could signal the arrival of a new force in college football.

"Good programs get better because they play in bowl games and they're able to extend their practices. It's like another spring," Eagles coach Steve Addazio said. "You're developing your football program, the culture of your team. Success breeds success. You're playing in a meaningful, big-time bowl."