WAYNE ROOT
MILL--Michigan -
No Limit--South Alabama +
Perfect Play--TCU +
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Inner Circle--Nebraska +
Look no further than a solid ground game for Nebraska in today's Music City Bowl. The Huskers rely on the ground game running to passing at about a 60/40 rate for the season. Tennessee had massive problems stopping the run – allowing 350-plus rushing yards in four of their final seven games of the regular season. RB Terrell Newby is a little banged up, but his season high so far is 140 yards against Illinois. Big Ten representative Nebraska comes into Friday's contest with an incredible 12 games in the last two seasons decided by a single possession which is great for the underdog Nebraska. It could very well come down to how accurate Tennessee's QB Joshua Dobbs is after a four week layoff. The Vols quarterback's accuracy then becomes essential, as Nebraska brings one of the nation's top turnover-generating secondaries into Nashville. The Huskers have 16 interceptions on the campaign, tied for 13th-most in the nation. The bitter disappointment that has been Tennessee's season doesn't feel conducive to a triumphant cap. Bowl games often come down to motivation, and with hopes of national, conference and even division titles dashed long ago the question for the Vols boils down to just how motivated they'll be to win the Music City Bowl. However, the sour note on which the regular season ended for Tennessee is likely to carry over into the bowl game. With an uncertain passing game and a Vols defense ranked 109th in FBS in total defense and 73rd in scoring defense, the desire to win a non-traveling bowl game can't possibly get the Vols jacked up to cover this spread. The Huskers defense will put a hold down on Tennessee.
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Pinnacle--North Carolina +
North Carolina brings one of the nation's most exciting offenses to El Paso, promising to test the defensive chops of a Stanford program that will play today without their star running back, Christian McCaffrey. How good can this Cardinal team be when the theme for Stanford in the Sun Bowl is building for next year's 2017 season? As for North Carolina, their passing defense has been excellent ranking them No. 14 nationally in yards allowed per game. North Carolina's quarterback flourished in 2016, compiling an impressive 7-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio (28:4). This game today sets up Trubisky as a possible Heisman front-runner heading into 2017. Elijah Hood (might sit), T.J. Logan and Mitch Trubisky give North Carolina a three-headed run-game option capable of keeping the Cardinal off-balance defensively. Passing goes to Ryan Switzer who's leading the squad with 91 receptions and 1,027 yards to go along with five touchdowns. For Stanford, the reality of losing McCaffrey is going to be too much here as he headed for the NFL instead of El Paso. That doesn’t bode well for a team that heavily relied on the star running back for most of the year. It'll all come down to scoring today and the Tar Heels hold that edge. Mitch Trubisky has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country and is widely considered a first-round NFL draft talent. He has passed for 3,468 yards and 28 touchdowns and will be the difference in this one. Lastly, the Tar Heels have a defensive line that is finally healthy and ready to come out and have a strong showing. The Tar Heels should win this game by two touchdowns or more.
MILL--Michigan -
No Limit--South Alabama +
Perfect Play--TCU +
______________________
Inner Circle--Nebraska +
Look no further than a solid ground game for Nebraska in today's Music City Bowl. The Huskers rely on the ground game running to passing at about a 60/40 rate for the season. Tennessee had massive problems stopping the run – allowing 350-plus rushing yards in four of their final seven games of the regular season. RB Terrell Newby is a little banged up, but his season high so far is 140 yards against Illinois. Big Ten representative Nebraska comes into Friday's contest with an incredible 12 games in the last two seasons decided by a single possession which is great for the underdog Nebraska. It could very well come down to how accurate Tennessee's QB Joshua Dobbs is after a four week layoff. The Vols quarterback's accuracy then becomes essential, as Nebraska brings one of the nation's top turnover-generating secondaries into Nashville. The Huskers have 16 interceptions on the campaign, tied for 13th-most in the nation. The bitter disappointment that has been Tennessee's season doesn't feel conducive to a triumphant cap. Bowl games often come down to motivation, and with hopes of national, conference and even division titles dashed long ago the question for the Vols boils down to just how motivated they'll be to win the Music City Bowl. However, the sour note on which the regular season ended for Tennessee is likely to carry over into the bowl game. With an uncertain passing game and a Vols defense ranked 109th in FBS in total defense and 73rd in scoring defense, the desire to win a non-traveling bowl game can't possibly get the Vols jacked up to cover this spread. The Huskers defense will put a hold down on Tennessee.
______________________
Pinnacle--North Carolina +
North Carolina brings one of the nation's most exciting offenses to El Paso, promising to test the defensive chops of a Stanford program that will play today without their star running back, Christian McCaffrey. How good can this Cardinal team be when the theme for Stanford in the Sun Bowl is building for next year's 2017 season? As for North Carolina, their passing defense has been excellent ranking them No. 14 nationally in yards allowed per game. North Carolina's quarterback flourished in 2016, compiling an impressive 7-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio (28:4). This game today sets up Trubisky as a possible Heisman front-runner heading into 2017. Elijah Hood (might sit), T.J. Logan and Mitch Trubisky give North Carolina a three-headed run-game option capable of keeping the Cardinal off-balance defensively. Passing goes to Ryan Switzer who's leading the squad with 91 receptions and 1,027 yards to go along with five touchdowns. For Stanford, the reality of losing McCaffrey is going to be too much here as he headed for the NFL instead of El Paso. That doesn’t bode well for a team that heavily relied on the star running back for most of the year. It'll all come down to scoring today and the Tar Heels hold that edge. Mitch Trubisky has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country and is widely considered a first-round NFL draft talent. He has passed for 3,468 yards and 28 touchdowns and will be the difference in this one. Lastly, the Tar Heels have a defensive line that is finally healthy and ready to come out and have a strong showing. The Tar Heels should win this game by two touchdowns or more.
