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Top 5 Non-College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six Bowl Games

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 3, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Daikiel Shorts (6) scores a touchdown and celebrates with Mountaineers wide receiver Gary Jennings (12) during the second quarter against the Baylor Bears at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Daikiel Shorts (6) scores a touchdown and celebrates with Mountaineers wide receiver Gary Jennings (12) during the second quarter against the Baylor Bears at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Football: Minnesota at Nebraska
NCAA Football: Minnesota at Nebraska /

3. Music City Bowl

Nebraska Cornhuskers v. #21 Tennessee Volunteers

  • Date: Friday, Dec. 30
  • Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Venue: Nissan Stadium
  • TV: ESPN
  • Live Stream: WatchESPN

Tennessee is undoubtedly disappointed after missing a wide-open chance to win the SEC East this season. But while the Volunteers fell flat in the middle of the season, they nevertheless finally ended their losing streak to Florida. Joshua Dobbs never did progress to the next level at quarterback, but Tennessee did get strong play from a defense that allowed just 13 points per game. Derek Barnett finished the regular season averaging a sack per game, and he will be looking to consolidate his first-round draft status in this contest.

The Cornhuskers arrive in Nashville having lost three of their last five outings after a 7-0 start to the season. Like Tennessee, Mike Riley’s team had hoped to challenge for the Big Ten title this season. Instead, they finished just third in the Big Ten West after losing to Wisconsin and Iowa in division play. Even as a veteran offense regressed, the Blackshirt defense stepped up and managed to keep the Huskers in most games this year. Time of possession and field position will both be critical in this contest, as Nebraska has had a down year on special teams.

The Music City Bowl welcomes a Big Ten team to Nashville for the first time since 2005, and as it celebrates its 19th year it will hope for another close contest. The game has traditionally been one of the most competitive of the bowl season, with 13 of its previous 18 editions settled within a single score. The Volunteers lost their only previous appearance in a 30-27 double overtime thriller to North Carolina in 2010, while Nebraska has never before played in this game.

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