I also wanted to add that as I have watched each Nebraska game this year, one thing that has really stood out to me is how many similarities there are between the Cornhuskers and Volunteers teams this year. For example:
We both play in first-class conferences but are in the weaker division of the two. The SEC East is much weaker than the West, and vice-versa for the Big 10. So both UT and NU have benefited from relatively easier schedules, especially in the first part of the season. In addition, we both still have a chance to make it to the conference championship game but neither of us controls our own destiny (you guys need to win out and have Wisconsin lose, and we need to win out and have Florida lose). However, I feel like both fan bases are not overly excited about having to play in the actual championship game, as the likelihood of winning is probably lower than the chances that we get blown out.
We both have weak offense lines, which causes a lot of issues on offense.
We both tend to play bad towards the beginning of the game and then typically mount a comeback late in the game.
Both of our quarterbacks are seniors and leaders of the team. Both are good running the ball but struggle with accuracy and interceptions.
We both started out undefeated, then had two very tough games back-to-back (Tennessee vs Texas A&M followed by Alabama, and Nebraska vs. Wisconsin followed by Ohio State). In both instances, we went into overtime in the first of those games and then lost. Again, in both situations, we gained confidence from the fact that we were able to take A&M and Wisconsin into overtime (both games on the road), and felt that we could hang with Alabama and Ohio State the following week. And then again, we were blown out in both instances the next week.
We both have had injuries to significant playmakers, although I would argue Tennessee has probably had it worse, which has hurt us down the stretch.
We both have relatively new coaches who have yet to prove themselves to the fan base (although Riley is only in year 2, while Butch Jones in year 4). From reading this forum, I also see that a lot of Nebraska fans are divided on Riley, just as Tennessee fans are with Butch. In addition, Jones and Riley are both criticized for hiring their buddies from their previous schools, when they may not have been the best person available for the job.
And although this doesnt apply specifically to this season, we both are strong historical programs who had their peak in the 90s and have been trying to get back on top ever since. We both have the same issue where in-state football is not that strong in our state, so we have to rely a lot on out-of-state recruiting (although Nebraska obviously has it worse in terms of geography, while Tennessee probably has it worse in terms of close by rivals with great recruiting.
Both schools are well of financially, and both fan bases complain about why we cant just write a blank check to a home-run hire coach, such as Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State have done.