Nebraska and Tennessee both had chances to make more of 2016. The Huskers started their season 7-0 and had a two-game edge in the Big Ten West before finishing 2-3 and behind Wisconsin. The Vols started 5-0 and had total command of the SEC East after beating Florida and Georgia, but a three-game losing streak in the middle of October doomed their season. Losing to Vanderbilt later on didn’t help things.
Nebraska vs. Tennessee, Music City Bowl 2016: Time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
Both teams wanted more, but here they are in Nashville.
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee was the preseason East favorite, and its year has been an unquestionable disappointment. Nebraska maybe wasn’t supposed to be as good as the Vols were, but the Huskers still had a letdown at the end. Neither probably had any interest at all two months ago in playing in the Music City Bowl, with New Year’s Six (and even Playoff) dreams alive for both after the first month and change of the season.
But that’s not how it worked out. They’re here, in this game on Friday, and it could be a pretty good game. It just won’t be what either had in mind.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET Friday, ESPN. The announcers are Tom Hart, Andre Ware, and Cole Cubelic.
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Tennessee opened as a 3-point favorite, but the line’s grown slightly wider.
Make friends: SB Nation’s Corn Nation covers Nebraska, and Rocky Top Talk covers Tennessee. Definitely stop by for some chatter.
Three big things to know
1. Tennessee has to protect Joshua Dobbs. Nebraska’s defense ranks 18th in the country in Adjusted Sack Rate, while the UT offense languishes down at 78th. Joshua Dobbs took 25 sacks in the regular season, including four times against Texas A&M and three against Alabama. The Huskers are good at applying pressure, and if they can get to Dobbs on Friday, it’ll be tough for Tennessee’s offense to move.
2. If Dobbs isn’t getting sacked, he should have a good game. It’s been somewhat lost in a frustrating season for the Vols, but Dobbs became a pretty efficient passer in 2016. His last four games (granted, against Tennessee Tech, Kentucky, Missouri, and Vanderbilt) were all strong. Nebraska’s defense does a good job limiting big plays in the passing game, but teams can be efficient with short and intermediate throws against the Huskers. Expect Dobbs to look for a lot of those, and he could put up more big numbers. Those last four games: 69-of-86 passing (80 percent) for 969 yards, 11 touchdowns, and one interception. Dobbs has been good. He’s a senior, so this is it.
3. Nebraska might not have quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. The Huskers’ own senior QB has had an inconsistent career, with great moments often offset with frustration at other points. (The story with Dobbs is not all that dissimilar.) Armstrong got off to a great start this year but struggled later on. It’d be cool to see him end his career with a strong showing before Nebraska turns the car keys over to somebody else for the 2017 season, but reports leading up to game day were that Armstrong was unlikely to play. Backup Ryker Fyfe has previously struggled in relief.
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