It’s official. Tennessee is set to take on Nebraska in the Music City Bowl.

Nebraska’s 2016 season has been much like Tennessee’s: a strong start — 7-0 for the Cornhuskers — before losing back-to-back road games at Wisconsin and Ohio State. Nebraska’s third loss was in the regular season finale at Iowa, losing soundly 40-10.

This will be their third matchup — and third time as bowl partners.

Nebraska won the first two: 31-21 in the January 2000 Fiesta Bowl and 42-17 in the January 1998 Orange Bowl. That was Peyton Manning’s last game as Nebraska recorded its third national championship in four seasons.

To breakdown the Huskers in what to expect in the Dec. 30 Music City Bowl matchup, Sean Callahan of Huskers Online talked Nebraska football with Saturday Down South.

Nebraska 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten) comes into the Music City Bowl with the nation’s 21st overall defense. The Huskers are sound in their run-defense by giving up 141 yards per game on the ground (34th overall nationally) and giving up 209.6 yards per game through the air (42nd).

“Nebraska hasn’t faced what I would call an elite offense throughout the season,” Callahan said. “They faced Ohio State and probably the one great offense that they have faced and had a bad game defensively. The defense is much improved from a year ago.

“The biggest thing is their secondary finishing with 16 interceptions, which is nearly double what they had last year (10). They have done a better job in not allowing the big play, which hurt them last year.

“They lost a lot on the defensive line from last year with two tackles playing in the NFL now (Vincent Valentine, Maliek Collins). But the Huskers this year, for whatever reason have more sacks (26) than last year (24) and have gotten a lot out of a little.

“As far as defensive end goes, it may be as thin as a defensive end position as I have ever seen at Nebraska. They start a walk-on and the other guy is a converted tight end and is a big body.”

Nebraska’s offense checks in at 85th overall with more of a presence on the ground. Terrell Newby (pictured, 864 yards) and quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (512) lead the way.

Nov 19, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Maryland Terrapins linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. (23) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Terrell Newby (34) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Armstrong Jr. has also eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark through the air (2,180) and has thrown 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions, but has taken a step back this season as far as efficiency and productivity.

“Newby was a high four-star, a Rivals-100 guy, really highly-regarded coming from California. Nebraska does not run a no-huddle, so the stats are fewer with less possessions and total plays. A lot of the Big Ten offenses do not look like they have big offenses because they do not run no huddle, running around 25 less plays a game. That’s where Nebraska fits.

“The receivers are probably the strength of the offense. Going into the year, it was the best returning receiver unit coming back as far as stats at Nebraska. But with guys like Jordan Westerkamp who’s leading the team in receiving (526 yards), he hurt his back and missed two games, so his stats aren’t as much as last year.

“The receiving yards are down this year and a lot of it is Tommy Armstrong Jr. hasn’t been that great with accuracy and consistency, but they’ve done a better job in closing out games and running the ball.

“They’re probably a 60-40 run-pass team right now being under center and in the shotgun. They have worked around Armstrong’s strengths and run zone-read plays, the option and different things like that.

“He’s not a traditional pro-style quarterback. When he has to throw it 35 times or more, they have never won. They want to keep his throwing under 30 attempts a game and around 25 times a game.”

Armstrong injured his hamstring against Minnesota. The senior quarterback missed the Maryland game and came back against Iowa, losing 40-10. He could not run against Iowa because of his hamstring and was off in the passing game. He missed numerous wide-open touchdown-type throws in that game. His hamstring should not be an issue by the time the Music city Bowl rolls around.

Nebraska’s injury report is much better than Tennessee’s. Various members of its offensive line missed time, but they’re back. Jerald Foster a left guard, a four-star recruit, injured his knee in August but came back in the Minnesota game. Cethan Carter the tight end, an NFL prospect, had an elbow injury and missed some games this season and is now back and fully healthy.

The two schools, obviously have bigger goals than being in the Music City Bowl, but the matchup features two brand names.

Nebraska ranks second all-time, tied with Texas, in bowl game appearances (53) and Tennessee is tied with Georgia for third with 52. Alabama ranks first with their 65th bowl game appearance this season.