nicksjuzunk
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Late contribution from me this week, and not much is going into it to be honest. Here is what I've got:
Nebraska is a team that faced slaw and good teams this year. They beat the slaw, and they lost to the good teams. (9-3) In retrospect, they are the equivalent to Northwestern two years ago, and Iowa last year.
Losses to OSU and Wisconsin are understandable. Iowa was a "close" team all year. Outside of PSU, their other 3 losses were by 8 points or less. And they had that epic win against Michigan. The Big 10 has certainly improved in it's "top heavinesss" but the question is this: Are their second tier improved over where they have been in recent years?
1. Arm weak or Armstrong?: Reports are still conflicting on whether Neb QB Tommy Armstrong will play or not. In general, he doesn't put up huge numbers, but like Dobbs, he makes the offense go. If he can't play, Ryker Fyfe will get the start. Fyfe is a senior from Nebraska, who looks as much like a classic Nebraska player as you will ever see. With a name like Fyfe... he kind of HAS to play for Nebraska, but anyways, he has put up respectable numbers in what has been a very limited career. Fyfe is about as mobile as a sack of Nebraska corn husks, so if Armstrong can't go, Tennessee's defense gets a big break.
2. Who's out more?: Tennessee will be without DT McKenzie, DT Tuttle, LB JRM, LB Sapp, Berry, Hall and probably others. Mixon is also out as an academic casualty.
As discussed above, QB Armstrong is likely out, leading WR Westerkamp is out as well as starting safety Gerry. Whose injuries end up hurting more?
3. How do you finish?: Dobbs, Kamara, Sutton, Barnett, possibly Malone and the rest of the seniors have one last moment to savor playing in the Grey and Orange. Barnett needs a sack for the record. Sutton needs to knock off the rust and leave a nice taste in the eyes of the scouts. Malone would like a nice cherry on top to a solid year to sell his draft potential. Kamara should be hungry to move up the draftboard. And then, of course there is Dobbs. This is it for one of the most polarizingly exciting players in recent Tennessee history. Full-Dobbs will be fun to watch, one last time.
4. Where is your head?: Does the team want to be in Nashville? Have they mailed it in? What is the attitude as Tennessee springs forward into the next season? Butch has always had the teams ultra refined for the bowl games, with a little extra trickery for the fans. The team needs to show they want to play, and Butch could use a big win to take the heat off of a disappointing season.
Prediction: Tennessee continues to struggle against the run, because they just don't have the pieces. Nebraska lacks the pieces to constantly threaten though. The offense clicks all day long. Going to be a fun one.
TN 44
Neb 31
Nebraska is a team that faced slaw and good teams this year. They beat the slaw, and they lost to the good teams. (9-3) In retrospect, they are the equivalent to Northwestern two years ago, and Iowa last year.
Losses to OSU and Wisconsin are understandable. Iowa was a "close" team all year. Outside of PSU, their other 3 losses were by 8 points or less. And they had that epic win against Michigan. The Big 10 has certainly improved in it's "top heavinesss" but the question is this: Are their second tier improved over where they have been in recent years?
1. Arm weak or Armstrong?: Reports are still conflicting on whether Neb QB Tommy Armstrong will play or not. In general, he doesn't put up huge numbers, but like Dobbs, he makes the offense go. If he can't play, Ryker Fyfe will get the start. Fyfe is a senior from Nebraska, who looks as much like a classic Nebraska player as you will ever see. With a name like Fyfe... he kind of HAS to play for Nebraska, but anyways, he has put up respectable numbers in what has been a very limited career. Fyfe is about as mobile as a sack of Nebraska corn husks, so if Armstrong can't go, Tennessee's defense gets a big break.
2. Who's out more?: Tennessee will be without DT McKenzie, DT Tuttle, LB JRM, LB Sapp, Berry, Hall and probably others. Mixon is also out as an academic casualty.
As discussed above, QB Armstrong is likely out, leading WR Westerkamp is out as well as starting safety Gerry. Whose injuries end up hurting more?
3. How do you finish?: Dobbs, Kamara, Sutton, Barnett, possibly Malone and the rest of the seniors have one last moment to savor playing in the Grey and Orange. Barnett needs a sack for the record. Sutton needs to knock off the rust and leave a nice taste in the eyes of the scouts. Malone would like a nice cherry on top to a solid year to sell his draft potential. Kamara should be hungry to move up the draftboard. And then, of course there is Dobbs. This is it for one of the most polarizingly exciting players in recent Tennessee history. Full-Dobbs will be fun to watch, one last time.
4. Where is your head?: Does the team want to be in Nashville? Have they mailed it in? What is the attitude as Tennessee springs forward into the next season? Butch has always had the teams ultra refined for the bowl games, with a little extra trickery for the fans. The team needs to show they want to play, and Butch could use a big win to take the heat off of a disappointing season.
Prediction: Tennessee continues to struggle against the run, because they just don't have the pieces. Nebraska lacks the pieces to constantly threaten though. The offense clicks all day long. Going to be a fun one.
TN 44
Neb 31
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