Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
When: Friday, December 30, 2016, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Tennessee Volunteers – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (TBA)
A 40-10 beating at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes capped off a rather disappointing season for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska had a chance to win the Big Ten West in its final regular-season contest against the Hawkeyes, but instead ended up with three losses in its last five games to settle for an appearance at a mid-tier bowl game this Saturday.
Even with starting quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. returning from his hamstring injury in time for the season finale against Iowa, the Cornhuskers offense still looked as shaky as ever. Armstrong did finish his campaign with half as many interceptions this season (eight) than the previous one, but his 51.4 percent completion rate is still a glaring concern.
What’s comforting about the rest of the Cornhuskers’ offense is that it hardly turns the ball over, having lost just six fumbles all season. The team may not possess a prolific attack, but its careful approach in scoring points can certainly expose a questionable Volunteer defense this week.
And on the flipside of the conversation about the team’s turnovers, Nebraska’s defense has really gotten it done this season with 24 takeaways. The team’s also D currently ranks 31st in the country in scoring defense at 22.8 points allowed per game and 21st at about 350 yards allowed per contest. That being said, this stingy defense can and needs to come up with huge plays against Tennessee to end its 2016 run on a high note.
Betting on the Tennessee Volunteers (TBA)
Similar to Nebraska, the No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers had very high preseason expectations for 2016, only to finish with a lackluster 8-4 record along with a humiliating 45-34 defeat to the Vanderbilt Commodores in their final regular-season game of the year.
But unlike the Cornhuksers, the Vols have a star quarterback running their offense in Joshua Dobbs. The graduating signal-caller certainly cannot be blamed for the loss to Vandy as he threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns with just three incomplete passes in 34 attempts.
Dobbs’ senior year is his best statistical season by a long shot, with his knack for finding the end zone being his strongest asset. He has 35 offensive touchdowns for the season, and his 26 passing TDs is tops amongst the entire SEC. In turn, the Volunteers offense has converted a staggering 89 percent of their red-zone trips and has even put up an average of 50 points over the last four games.
However, and despite the offense’s prowess, the same cannot be said of Tennessee’s defense. The team surrendered a whopping total of over 1,900 yards to their opponents over their last three outings, including a ridiculous 608 yards to lowly Vanderbilt.
Then again, Nebraska’s offense isn’t exactly a world-beater. Plus, the Vols will virtually host a game in their very own state, where they’ve gone 7-1 this season (albeit 4-3 ATS) and with their only home loss during that stretch coming at the hands of undefeated Alabama.
Writer’s Prediction
The Volunteers win, 33-24, to give Dobbs one last game to remember from his banner career in Tennessee.
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