NASHVILLE, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Illinois football will close its 2025 season Tuesday afternoon with a historic matchup against No. 23 Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
The Illini enter the game 8–4 overall and 5–4 in Big Ten play, matching Tennessee’s 8–4 record out of the SEC. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Central, with national coverage on ESPN.
The bowl appearance marks Illinois’ first trip to the Music City Bowl and the first-ever meeting between the two programs. A victory would give the Illini nine wins for the second straight season and 19 total wins over the past two years, both program firsts. Head coach Bret Bielema is also seeking to become the first Illinois coach to lead the team to bowl wins in consecutive seasons.
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer will make his final start for Illinois after finishing the regular season among the nation’s top quarterbacks in completion percentage, passing efficiency, and total yards. A bowl win would place Altmyer among the most successful quarterbacks in program history in terms of victories.
Tennessee brings one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, ranking seventh in scoring at more than 40 points per game. Quarterback Joey Aguilar threw for more than 3,400 yards during the season, while the Volunteers’ defense has been opportunistic, ranking second nationally in defensive touchdowns.
