FIESTA BOWL

Update: Nebraska responded to last season’s four-loss campaign by regaining some of its former dominance this season. The Cornhuskers would be playing for the national title if not for a 24-20 loss at Texas. And they avenged that defeat with a 22-6 victory over the Longhorns in the Big 12 Conference title game. This could be a defensive battle. Nebraska was ranked fourth overall in the nation, and Tennessee 11th. All-American safety Mike Brown heads a first-rate Nebraska secondary. All-American linebacker Raynoch Thompson leads an excellent Tennessee defense that must take Nebraska’s option quarterback, Eric Crouch, out of his game. Crouch has rushed for 16 touchdowns, passed for seven and has even caught a scoring pass. Free safety Deon Grant, a second-team All-American, had nine interceptions for the Volunteers.