The Franklin Mortgage Music City Bowl has an intriguing matchup this year when the Nebraska Cornhuskers meet the Tennessee Volunteers in a battle of bragging rights between the Big 10 and SEC conferences. Both teams had higher aspirations entering the year but both are fired up and ready for the opportunity to end the year on a good note with a win and momentum heading into next year.
Nebraska Cornhuskers 9-3 vs Tennessee Volunteers 8-4
December 30, 2016
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee - 3:30 p.m., ET - ESPN
Nebraska opened the season 7-0 before losing three of its next five games to finish 9-3. Their last game was an embarrassing loss to Iowa where they were manhandled 40-10, but a win against Tennessee would make Nebraska 10-3 and would be the Huskers’ best record since 2003 when Frank Solich’s team also finished 10-3. That’s the motivation that’s driving Nebraska and it would also give them momentum heading into next year. Starting quarterback Tommy Armstrong should be fully healed and he is what makes the team tick. In their three losses, Armstrong did not play. He may well be the difference-maker in this game.
Tennessee took a similar path to notch their eight win season. The Vols opened up 5-0 before losing four of their next seven to finish 8-4 on the year, that included a surprising loss to cross-state rival Vanderbilt in the regular season finale. Tennessee was supposed to put it all together this year and get into the College Football Playoff hunt but instead it was a year of missed opportunities with a super talented team full of veterans that just couldn’t seem to get out its own way. The defense was pathetic most of the year, the offense was too inconsistent and mistake-prone, and other than the win over Florida, there was failure after failure in key games that has put head coach Butch Jones on the hot seat. They must rebound quickly and find some sort of motivation if they want to finish the year off with a bowl win.
Opening Line: Tennessee -3, Total 61
Current Line at BookMaker.eu: Tennessee -3
There is no movement what so ever in either the game line or the game total. It’s too early to know what the spread will do, but Tennessee is a 3-point favorite with a game total of 61. The Vols hit paydirt on the over in eight of 12 contests, while Nebraska was more of an under team, cashing nine of 12 times. Gamers will likely pull the trigger on the over creating movement on the total.
THE PLAY
This ballgame is tough to read. Which team will show up, I mean both teams are so inconsistent and are vulnerable in so many areas. I suspect both teams will be highly motivated and ready to play. Both defenses have holes in them and both offenses can put points on the board in bunches which leads me to lean towards the OVER. I am taking the Joe Public play and riding with the OVER.
The College Football betting odds and props for this week’s games were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. Live wagering during commercials offers adjusted moneylines, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now! The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Tennessee Volunteers square off in the Music City Bowl on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 3:30 p.m., ET. ESPN will televise the game live.
