Leave it to bleacher report to get our record wrong.
http://m.bleacherreport.com/article...w-prediction-for-nebraska-vs-tennessee/page/8
Music City Bowl: Preview, Prediction for Nebraska vs. Tennessee
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Nashville is a place where some people go to chase their dreams of stardom and make it big in the country music business. But when Nebraska and Tennessee arrive for the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, they’ll be chasing redemption and trying to chase away the taste of a sad end to the regular season.
Both teams are 8-4, but hoped for so much more out of 2016. No. 21 Tennessee began the season as the favorite to win the SEC East and chase a College Football Playoff berth, but ended it with four defeats and a humbling 45-34 loss across town at Vanderbilt. Nebraska entered the final weekend with a chance to win the Big Ten West, but saw those hopes disappear after a 40-10 loss at rival Iowa.
The Vols and Cornhuskers were originally scheduled to play this season, but postponed a home-and-home series until 2026-27. They’ll meet in Nashville with hopes of creating a springboard to a better 2017. The game is set for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff from Nissan Stadium, and will be televised nationally by ESPN. How will it unfold? Read on:
Tennessee has a very robust offense that scores an average of 36 points per game, No. 24 nationally. Meanwhile, Nebraska's defense is much improved this season, allowing 23 points per game, No. 32 nationally, and 334 yards per game, No. 24 nationally.
Running the ball against Tennessee's defense will be key to the Cornhuskers' success. Tennessee's run defense has been a sieve, allowing 234 rushing yards per game, No. 115 nationally. That's good news for tailback Terrell Newby and quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr.
Keys to Victory for Nebraska
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Keep Joshua Dobbs In Check
With a few key exceptions (like a 62-3 loss to Ohio State and a 40-10 beating at Iowa’s hands), Nebraska’s defense has been very solid. The Cornhuskers are allowing 22.8 points per game, No. 31 nationally. They’ll have a major task in containing Tennessee senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who is a threat to pass or run and is a very smart player.
If the Blackshirts can pressure Dobbs into making mistakes, it will, in turn, take pressure off Tommy Armstrong and the offense to put up bigger numbers against a vulnerable Tennessee defense.
Start Fast
With the game in Nashville, this will be a virtual road game for Nebraska, although there will be questions about how much the Volunteers really want to be there. Nebraska will travel well, but if the Huskers can get off to a quick start in an orange-dominated stadium, they could take the Volunteers and their fans right out of the game.
Play Smart
Armstrong has been a much smarter quarterback this season, cutting his interceptions in half. The team has followed his lead, too. Nebraska is sixth nationally in fewest fumbles lost, which makes life a lot easier for the offense.
If the Huskers can win the turnover battle against the Vols, it’ll be a huge step toward finishing the season on a positive note.
Keys to Victory for Tennessee
4 of 8
Show Up Prepared
In every bowl season, there’s a team everyone points to as one that “doesn’t want to be there.” This year, that team very well could be Tennessee. The Volunteers opened the year with big goals like winning the SEC East, winning the SEC and making the College Football Playoff. They ended it 8-4 with a dispiriting 45-34 loss to Vanderbilt and wound up in the Music City, a far cry from where they’d hoped.
Butch Jones has already stated that his players are “champions of life.” But to be champions of the Music City Bowl and salvage something from this season, he’ll need to make certain they’re properly motivated.
Make Tommy Armstrong Jr. One-Dimensional
Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is a dangerous player, but he has been a difficult fit at times in Mike Riley’s pro-style offense. Armstrong has thrown for 2,180 yards with 14 touchdowns against eight interceptions, but has completed only 51.4 percent of his passes. His rushing skills make him doubly dangerous; he has 512 rushing yards and eight scores.
But if Armstrong can’t run, his value diminishes significantly. In the regular season finale against Iowa, he was limited by a balky hamstring and completed just 13 of 35 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown with 13 rushing yards on six attempts. If Tennessee forces him to throw, the Vols’ hopes of winning will rise exponentially.
Get the Run Game Going
Tennessee entered 2016 with a talented backfield. It’s just a matter of the Volunteers getting the most out of it. Jalen Hurd was a returning 1,288-yard rusher, but quit the team with plans to transfer in November. Alvin Kamara missed multiple games with a knee injury but still wound up with 565 yards and nine touchdowns. If the Vols can move the ball with Kamara and take pressure off Dobbs, it’ll be a huge help to the offense.
Players to Watch for Nebraska
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QB Tommy Armstrong Jr.
When Tommy Armstrong Jr. is at his best, Nebraska is a far more efficient football team. The senior quarterback has spent the last two seasons adjusting to a pro-style system under Mike Riley, and that showed results this season.
He halved his interceptions from 16 to eight while throwing for 2,180 yards, adding 512 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground as Nebraska’s No. 2 rusher. If he avoids mistakes and plays smart, it’ll be huge for the Huskers.
RB Terrell Newby
Nebraska has long had a strong tradition of talented backs, and Newby is the latest in that line. This season, he became the top option in the backfield and has done a solid job, rushing for 864 yards and seven touchdowns. He had his best game against Illinois, rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.
Newby is a tough, physical back and could have a field day running against Tennessee’s depleted defense which has allowed over 1,900 total yards in its last three games combined and allowed three teams to rush for 400-plus yards against it this season.
S Nathan Gerry
Nebraska’s defense was far more competent this season, and senior safety Nathan Gerry was a big reason why. Gerry is a hard hitter and good tackler who was a second-team All-Big Ten selection, per league media. He had 74 tackles, seven tackles for loss and was also a factor in pass defense, making four interceptions and eight pass breakups.
Tennessee and quarterback Joshua Dobbs will need to know where Gerry is at all times, particularly in the passing offense.
Players to Watch for Tennessee
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QB Joshua Dobbs
Tennessee has had a tumultuous 2016 season, but one constant has been the play of senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs is a leader for the Volunteers, and has enjoyed his best statistical season. He has thrown for 2,655 yards with 26 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, and is also UT’s leading rusher with 713 yards and nine scores on the ground.
He has three 300-yard passing games, including a 340-yard, two-touchdown effort in a 45-34 loss to Vanderbilt, completing 31 of 34 passes. He is the most indispensable player that Tennessee has.
WR Josh Malone
Josh Malone always had the talent. It was just a matter of him putting it all together. This fall, he took a huge step toward doing so. Malone is Tennessee’s leading receiver, with 45 catches for 852 yards and 10 touchdowns. He more than doubled his yardage from 2015 (405 yards) and greatly increased his touchdowns after reaching the end zone just twice as a sophomore.
At 6’3”, 200 pounds, Malone has good size and speed and will be a big test for Nebraska’s secondary to cover. Dobbs will focus on him early and often.
DE Derek Barnett
Injuries wreaked havoc on Tennessee’s defense this season, but that didn’t affect the play of junior defensive end Derek Barnett. Barnett had his best season as a collegian and showed why he is considered one of the top pass rushers in college football.
He is a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation’s top defensive end, and put together an impressive stat line. He had 50 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 12 sacks (which leads the SEC), three pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Barnett will be a major load for Nebraska’s offensive tackles to contain; expect him to pressure Tommy Armstrong Jr. early and often.
What They're Saying
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"Our entire program is excited about representing the University of Tennessee at the Music City Bowl. This will be a great opportunity for our players to play in a NFL stadium against a very challenging opponent in Nebraska. We have a special group of seniors that have given their all for this program and I know they are excited about a final opportunity to play together." – Tennessee coach Butch Jones, in an official release.
We are excited about the invitation to complete the 2016 season in the Music City Bowl,” Riley said. “This is a great opportunity to finish our year in an outstanding bowl game and compete for a 10th win against an excellent Tennessee team. As a staff, we are looking forward to spending the additional practice time with this team and preparing for a strong performance. I know our players, coaches and fans will enjoy the trip to Nashville, and we anticipate a great week of activities and an excellent football game.” – Nebraska coach Mike Riley, in an official release.
Prediction
8 of 8
Tennessee certainly didn’t see itself finishing 2016 in Nashville. The Volunteers hoped for a much warmer bowl destination, but wound up here after a four-loss season that was one of the nation’s more disappointing results. They have one chance left to salvage something against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers were much improved in Mike Riley’s second year, going from 6-7 to 8-4 and going into the final weekend of the regular season with a chance to win the Big Ten West.
Only one team can finish the year on a high note, and chances are that Nebraska will claim that prize. Tennessee’s defense was beaten down and disinterested to end the regular season, allowing an average of 661 yards against Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt. If quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is healthy for his collegiate finale, he should make his share of plays against this unit. That will be the ultimate difference.
Nebraska 34, Tennessee 21.
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Music City Bowl: Preview, Prediction for Nebraska vs. Tennessee
1 of 8
Nashville is a place where some people go to chase their dreams of stardom and make it big in the country music business. But when Nebraska and Tennessee arrive for the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, they’ll be chasing redemption and trying to chase away the taste of a sad end to the regular season.
Both teams are 8-4, but hoped for so much more out of 2016. No. 21 Tennessee began the season as the favorite to win the SEC East and chase a College Football Playoff berth, but ended it with four defeats and a humbling 45-34 loss across town at Vanderbilt. Nebraska entered the final weekend with a chance to win the Big Ten West, but saw those hopes disappear after a 40-10 loss at rival Iowa.
The Vols and Cornhuskers were originally scheduled to play this season, but postponed a home-and-home series until 2026-27. They’ll meet in Nashville with hopes of creating a springboard to a better 2017. The game is set for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff from Nissan Stadium, and will be televised nationally by ESPN. How will it unfold? Read on:
Tennessee has a very robust offense that scores an average of 36 points per game, No. 24 nationally. Meanwhile, Nebraska's defense is much improved this season, allowing 23 points per game, No. 32 nationally, and 334 yards per game, No. 24 nationally.
Running the ball against Tennessee's defense will be key to the Cornhuskers' success. Tennessee's run defense has been a sieve, allowing 234 rushing yards per game, No. 115 nationally. That's good news for tailback Terrell Newby and quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr.
Keys to Victory for Nebraska
3 of 8
Keep Joshua Dobbs In Check
With a few key exceptions (like a 62-3 loss to Ohio State and a 40-10 beating at Iowa’s hands), Nebraska’s defense has been very solid. The Cornhuskers are allowing 22.8 points per game, No. 31 nationally. They’ll have a major task in containing Tennessee senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who is a threat to pass or run and is a very smart player.
If the Blackshirts can pressure Dobbs into making mistakes, it will, in turn, take pressure off Tommy Armstrong and the offense to put up bigger numbers against a vulnerable Tennessee defense.
Start Fast
With the game in Nashville, this will be a virtual road game for Nebraska, although there will be questions about how much the Volunteers really want to be there. Nebraska will travel well, but if the Huskers can get off to a quick start in an orange-dominated stadium, they could take the Volunteers and their fans right out of the game.
Play Smart
Armstrong has been a much smarter quarterback this season, cutting his interceptions in half. The team has followed his lead, too. Nebraska is sixth nationally in fewest fumbles lost, which makes life a lot easier for the offense.
If the Huskers can win the turnover battle against the Vols, it’ll be a huge step toward finishing the season on a positive note.
Keys to Victory for Tennessee
4 of 8
Show Up Prepared
In every bowl season, there’s a team everyone points to as one that “doesn’t want to be there.” This year, that team very well could be Tennessee. The Volunteers opened the year with big goals like winning the SEC East, winning the SEC and making the College Football Playoff. They ended it 8-4 with a dispiriting 45-34 loss to Vanderbilt and wound up in the Music City, a far cry from where they’d hoped.
Butch Jones has already stated that his players are “champions of life.” But to be champions of the Music City Bowl and salvage something from this season, he’ll need to make certain they’re properly motivated.
Make Tommy Armstrong Jr. One-Dimensional
Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is a dangerous player, but he has been a difficult fit at times in Mike Riley’s pro-style offense. Armstrong has thrown for 2,180 yards with 14 touchdowns against eight interceptions, but has completed only 51.4 percent of his passes. His rushing skills make him doubly dangerous; he has 512 rushing yards and eight scores.
But if Armstrong can’t run, his value diminishes significantly. In the regular season finale against Iowa, he was limited by a balky hamstring and completed just 13 of 35 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown with 13 rushing yards on six attempts. If Tennessee forces him to throw, the Vols’ hopes of winning will rise exponentially.
Get the Run Game Going
Tennessee entered 2016 with a talented backfield. It’s just a matter of the Volunteers getting the most out of it. Jalen Hurd was a returning 1,288-yard rusher, but quit the team with plans to transfer in November. Alvin Kamara missed multiple games with a knee injury but still wound up with 565 yards and nine touchdowns. If the Vols can move the ball with Kamara and take pressure off Dobbs, it’ll be a huge help to the offense.
Players to Watch for Nebraska
5 of 8
QB Tommy Armstrong Jr.
When Tommy Armstrong Jr. is at his best, Nebraska is a far more efficient football team. The senior quarterback has spent the last two seasons adjusting to a pro-style system under Mike Riley, and that showed results this season.
He halved his interceptions from 16 to eight while throwing for 2,180 yards, adding 512 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground as Nebraska’s No. 2 rusher. If he avoids mistakes and plays smart, it’ll be huge for the Huskers.
RB Terrell Newby
Nebraska has long had a strong tradition of talented backs, and Newby is the latest in that line. This season, he became the top option in the backfield and has done a solid job, rushing for 864 yards and seven touchdowns. He had his best game against Illinois, rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.
Newby is a tough, physical back and could have a field day running against Tennessee’s depleted defense which has allowed over 1,900 total yards in its last three games combined and allowed three teams to rush for 400-plus yards against it this season.
S Nathan Gerry
Nebraska’s defense was far more competent this season, and senior safety Nathan Gerry was a big reason why. Gerry is a hard hitter and good tackler who was a second-team All-Big Ten selection, per league media. He had 74 tackles, seven tackles for loss and was also a factor in pass defense, making four interceptions and eight pass breakups.
Tennessee and quarterback Joshua Dobbs will need to know where Gerry is at all times, particularly in the passing offense.
Players to Watch for Tennessee
6 of 8
QB Joshua Dobbs
Tennessee has had a tumultuous 2016 season, but one constant has been the play of senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs is a leader for the Volunteers, and has enjoyed his best statistical season. He has thrown for 2,655 yards with 26 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, and is also UT’s leading rusher with 713 yards and nine scores on the ground.
He has three 300-yard passing games, including a 340-yard, two-touchdown effort in a 45-34 loss to Vanderbilt, completing 31 of 34 passes. He is the most indispensable player that Tennessee has.
WR Josh Malone
Josh Malone always had the talent. It was just a matter of him putting it all together. This fall, he took a huge step toward doing so. Malone is Tennessee’s leading receiver, with 45 catches for 852 yards and 10 touchdowns. He more than doubled his yardage from 2015 (405 yards) and greatly increased his touchdowns after reaching the end zone just twice as a sophomore.
At 6’3”, 200 pounds, Malone has good size and speed and will be a big test for Nebraska’s secondary to cover. Dobbs will focus on him early and often.
DE Derek Barnett
Injuries wreaked havoc on Tennessee’s defense this season, but that didn’t affect the play of junior defensive end Derek Barnett. Barnett had his best season as a collegian and showed why he is considered one of the top pass rushers in college football.
He is a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation’s top defensive end, and put together an impressive stat line. He had 50 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 12 sacks (which leads the SEC), three pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Barnett will be a major load for Nebraska’s offensive tackles to contain; expect him to pressure Tommy Armstrong Jr. early and often.
What They're Saying
7 of 8
"Our entire program is excited about representing the University of Tennessee at the Music City Bowl. This will be a great opportunity for our players to play in a NFL stadium against a very challenging opponent in Nebraska. We have a special group of seniors that have given their all for this program and I know they are excited about a final opportunity to play together." – Tennessee coach Butch Jones, in an official release.
We are excited about the invitation to complete the 2016 season in the Music City Bowl,” Riley said. “This is a great opportunity to finish our year in an outstanding bowl game and compete for a 10th win against an excellent Tennessee team. As a staff, we are looking forward to spending the additional practice time with this team and preparing for a strong performance. I know our players, coaches and fans will enjoy the trip to Nashville, and we anticipate a great week of activities and an excellent football game.” – Nebraska coach Mike Riley, in an official release.
Prediction
8 of 8
Tennessee certainly didn’t see itself finishing 2016 in Nashville. The Volunteers hoped for a much warmer bowl destination, but wound up here after a four-loss season that was one of the nation’s more disappointing results. They have one chance left to salvage something against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers were much improved in Mike Riley’s second year, going from 6-7 to 8-4 and going into the final weekend of the regular season with a chance to win the Big Ten West.
Only one team can finish the year on a high note, and chances are that Nebraska will claim that prize. Tennessee’s defense was beaten down and disinterested to end the regular season, allowing an average of 661 yards against Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt. If quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is healthy for his collegiate finale, he should make his share of plays against this unit. That will be the ultimate difference.
Nebraska 34, Tennessee 21.
