***ESPN2 12PM EST OUTBACK BOWL NORTHWESTERN VS TENNESSEE PLAY & WRITEUP***

Question

Wow what a surprise Northwestern has been this year! Finishing with a 10-2 record and beating some pretty good teams in the process such as Stanford and Wisconsin. The Wildcats get it done with an elite defense and a decent running game. Defensively Northwestern has played great shutting down opponents not allowing them to move the chains and hit on big plays. This unit is very tough and aggressive. Offensively for Northwestern it has been tough sledding. Relying on the ground game led by Justin Jackson who carried the ball 300 times for 1350 yards and just 4 td's. These guys if they can't move the football on the ground they just simply aren't moving it. This team relies on their defense to make plays to win ball games.

Tennessee is coming off of a bit of a disappointing season where they lost 4 very tough close games against Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida and Alabama. If the ball bounced just a bit different the Volunteers could've had an amazing season. Offensively Tennessee relies on dual threat QB Joshua Dobbs and RB Jalen Hurd. The two combined for about 4100 yards of offense and 37 tds. The Tennessee offense has been pretty good moving the sticks and hitting on big plays occasionally. Defensively Tennessee has been solid as well. Playing against the run well and limiting opponents from moving the chains and explosive plays.

What I see happening in this game is that the better overall team Tennessee will have their way with the Wildcats today. Northwestern yes has a good defense but eventually Dobbs & company will make some plays and offensively Northwestern is incapable of answering as the Volunteers play stout against the run. I just don't see how the Northwestern offense can score and therefore I will be on Tennessee minus the points.

TENNESSEE -9

HERMES · Answer

Wow what a surprise Northwestern has been this year! Finishing with a 10-2 record and beating some pretty good teams in the process such as Stanford and Wisconsin. The Wildcats get it done with an elite defense and a decent running game. Defensively Northwestern has played great shutting down opponents not allowing them to move the chains and hit on big plays. This unit is very tough and aggressive. Offensively for Northwestern it has been tough sledding. Relying on the ground game led by Justin Jackson who carried the ball 300 times for 1350 yards and just 4 td's. These guys if they can't move the football on the ground they just simply aren't moving it. This team relies on their defense to make plays to win ball games.

Tennessee is coming off of a bit of a disappointing season where they lost 4 very tough close games against Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida and Alabama. If the ball bounced just a bit different the Volunteers could've had an amazing season. Offensively Tennessee relies on dual threat QB Joshua Dobbs and RB Jalen Hurd. The two combined for about 4100 yards of offense and 37 tds. The Tennessee offense has been pretty good moving the sticks and hitting on big plays occasionally. Defensively Tennessee has been solid as well. Playing against the run well and limiting opponents from moving the chains and explosive plays.

What I see happening in this game is that the better overall team Tennessee will have their way with the Wildcats today. Northwestern yes has a good defense but eventually Dobbs & company will make some plays and offensively Northwestern is incapable of answering as the Volunteers play stout against the run. I just don't see how the Northwestern offense can score and therefore I will be on Tennessee minus the points.

TENNESSEE -9

98ITR · Answer

Vol could have been 12-0.. Gator game had ridiculous finish..You leaning Florida as well?

jimmydafreak · Answer

I absolutely agree.  And take Tennessee 2nd half whatever the line is.

MoabBuster · Answer

Thanks Hermes!  Happy New Year!

maineky4013 · Answer

thanks hermes goodluck and keep rolling my man

dick747 · Answer

Always a good read.Thank you.

Rolexsports · Answer

Riding with you til the end Hermes . Put a nickel on Bama yesterday , which was a game I couldn&#x27;t get a strong read on . Thank you. And thanks for the heads up on your BIG PLAYS.

Bellagio777 · Answer

Happy New Year , Hermes. ! ! !

TheAdogg27 · Answer

[Quote: Originally Posted by jimmydafreak]  I absolutely agree.  And take Tennessee 2nd half whatever the line is.&#xD;&#xA;&#xD;&#xA;   [/Quote]As a Vol for life who graduated from UT 10 years ago and bleed&#x27;s orange I would recommend Vols 1st half... if you look back at this seasons games the Vols jumped out to early leads against Oklahoma, Florida, Arkansas, Mizzou, and South Carolina then allowed these teams to get back into the game.... I hope that TN just crushes NW all 4 quarters but we have definitely had a tendency to get a lead and then slow down if your going to bet half&#x27;s IMHO Vols are definitely a first half team

nba-capper · Answer

Wildcats win the game 23-20    &#x27;read my lips&#x27;

gambling-devil · Answer

Hey Hermes, I always like your write up.I am torn on the side. I like NW &#x2B; the points but I do agree that there might be a chance that Ten will have their way with NW.Good luck today.