8. The extra rest was beneficial
The injury/attrition situation, for once this year, worked in Tennessee’s favor. While Nebraska lost several key players over the bowl break, Tennessee seemed to get healthier and fresher. Linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. and cornerback Cam Sutton were among the UT players who had been beaten up down the stretch, but looked healthier against the Cornhuskers. Tennessee still missed some key players such as Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Shy Tuttle and Evan Berry, but the team appeared to benefit from the time off.
