The last time the Big Orange saw Big Red, it wasn't pretty, to say the least.

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The Vols' 42-17 loss to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl two years ago led to the Cornhuskers' national championship -- and to a new way of thinking at Tennessee.

No longer would the Vols rely so heavily on speed and finesse to win game. Tennessee would have to get stronger and more physical -- and keep its speed -- to compete for it all. The Vols used that motivation over the summer and turned it into an unbeaten season and a national title.

Now it's time to see just how far Tennessee has really come. The Vols are back in a bowl game against Nebraska. Except this time, it's the Fiesta Bowl.

"The SEC is known for its finesse and speed,'' said Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin. "We're in the SEC, but we have the mentality of a smash-mouth football team that can also pass and play finesse. I don't think (the 1997) game has any effect on this one. We're a lot better now than we were two years ago. We're stronger, faster and more experienced."

They have also proven they can line up and play smash mouth with anyone. The Vols are one of the most physical teams in college football, and might have the best defense. But the confidence can only take them so far.

"We were confident the last time we played Nebraska, too," said coach Phillip Fulmer. "But I think this team has played in a lot of big games since that game."

When Tennessee played Nebraska two years ago, the Vols had little to go by in terms of big games. The Vols lost to Florida earlier in the season in their biggest game, but won the SEC after the Gators slipped up in two other conference games.

Since the loss to Nebraska, the Vols have beaten Florida, won another SEC championship, and beaten Florida State in the national championship game. It's a different team, with a different and distinct history behind it.

That history is a history of success under Martin, who is 22-2 as a starter.

"We've got a lot of momentum going into this game," said guard Cosey Coleman. "The big thing about Nebraska's defense is that they play hard. They've got an attitude like they're supermen. We're not intimidated at all by Nebraska, but we respect them."

The Personnel File

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Travis Henry, Jr., RB. Coming back from a knee injury, Jamal Lewis was supposed to be the feature back, but just like last season, Travis Henry stepped in seamlessly when Lewis was ailing and out of the lineup. Lewis barely rushed for more yards -- 816 to 790 -- but Henry was more efficient, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt to Lewis' 4.5. Henry is also a home-run threat, scoring six touchdowns in the final three games, from 40, 28, 13, 61, 40 and 63 yards.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Deon Grant, Jr., safety. There are a lot of stars on the Tennessee defense -- linebacker Raynoch Thompson and defensive tackle Darwin Walker, to name a couple -- but Grant has been the big-play guy, picking off nine passes to tie for the national lead.

COACH UPDATE: After years of being regarded as a better recruiter than coach, Phillip Fulmer has shed that tag … and owns the best record of any active coach in the country. His 76-13 record in his eight seasons (all at UT) give him a national-best .854 winning percentage. He takes a 5-2 bowl record into the Fiesta Bowl.

NOT TAKING CHANCES: Martin has been banged up much of this season, so he wasn't taking any chances during bowl preparations in Knoxville.

Martin's left ankle is still sore from the regular season, and the All-SEC performer missed the Vols' three workouts before the Christmas break.

"I'm old, man," Martin joked.

Martin's absence from practice likely stems from the Vols working out inside the Neyland Thompson Sports Center, which has artificial turf.

"I understand what can happen," Martin said. "I don't want to make it worse than it is."

Said Fulmer: "Inside on that turf, we didn't want to irritate his ankle. No reason to do that."

GETTING EXTRA SNAPS: With Martin out, backup QBs Joey Mathews and A.J. Suggs took a majority of the first-team snaps.

But unlike two years ago against Nebraska, when Martin replaced Peyton Manning late in the game to direct a game-winning drive, don't expect either Mathews or Suggs to play unless injury dictates. They simply aren't prepared to play in a game of this magnitude the way Martin was in 1997.

Nebraska, of course, likes to pressure the quarterback. That means protecting Martin is of utmost importance.

"Any time you blitz, you take a chance," said Vols offensive tackle Josh Tucker. "But I believe they will start out blitzing.''

Noteworthy

THE LONG TRIP: Back-to-back games in Tempe, Ariz., have been a hard sell to Tennessee fans, some of the best in college football when it comes to traveling with their team.

The trip to the West Coast for a second consecutive season -- UT won the national title last year in the Fiesta Bowl -- isn't too attractive. UT officials are planning to return about 7,800 unsold tickets, which could impact the Vols' payout.

Under an agreement with the bowl, Nebraska and UT were obligated to sell 15,000 tickets each. Nebraska has sold its allotment.

INJURY UPDATE: The time off for exams and holidays should make the Vols' running game more effective for the Fiesta Bowl. Tailbacks Travis Henry (concussion) and Jamal Lewis (ankle, shoulder) are completely healthy, and linebacker Eric Westmoreland (knee) and center Spencer Riley (knee) are close to 100 percent.

A Look Ahead

Here's a glance at who the Vols will have to replace in the starting lineup next season.

OFFENSE: Six. Although it could be four, it's likely that Coleman and Lewis, both draft-eligible juniors, will leave school early. The biggest loss, however, might be Martin. No matter who ends up with the job, inexperience will be a major issue.

DEFENSE: Seven. Although DE Shaun Ellis and LB Raynoch Thompson could return for an extra season, they'll likely head to the NFL draft, as will junior FS Deon Grant. The Vols are talented and deep, and next year's defense will have somewhat of a falloff, but not as much as you would think.

SPECIAL TEAMS: None. K Alex Walls and P David Leaverton return, as does return specialist Leonard Scott.