The Tennessee Volunteers and Illinois Fighting Illini are set to close out their seasons under the lights of Nissan Stadium in Nashville, where the Music City Bowl promises to deliver a compelling matchup between two programs still rolling with their starting quarterbacks - a rarity in today’s opt-out-heavy bowl season.
For Tennessee, Joey Aguilar gets the nod under center, while Illinois counters with Luke Altmyer. That alone injects a bit more juice into this one. In an era where bowl rosters are often patchwork due to the transfer portal and NFL Draft prep, having both starting QBs locked in means we could be in for a more cohesive - and potentially high-scoring - affair.
And the oddsmakers seem to agree. The total for this game has been climbing, and it's caught the attention of bettors looking for fireworks.
It’s not hard to see why. Tennessee brings in the SEC’s top scoring offense, averaging 40.75 points per game during the regular season.
That’s not just good - that’s explosive. The Vols have been able to light up the scoreboard all year, and with Aguilar at the helm, their tempo and vertical passing game remain a threat.
But it’s not all sunshine in Knoxville. While the offense hummed, the defense struggled - badly.
Tennessee finished dead last in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 28.75 points per game. That imbalance cost defensive coordinator Tim Banks his job, and it leaves the Vols entering bowl season with some serious question marks on that side of the ball.
Illinois, meanwhile, may not have the same offensive firepower, but they’ve been steady. The Illini averaged 29.3 points per game - solid enough for seventh in the Big Ten.
Defensively, they were middle of the pack as well, allowing 23.3 points per contest. That puts them in a position where they don’t necessarily have to win a shootout, but they’ll need to be opportunistic, especially on third down.
That’s where this game could swing. Illinois has quietly been one of the better third-down defenses in the country this season, but the results haven’t always shown up in the win column - particularly in tough road losses at Washington and Wisconsin.
According to Illini analyst Matthew Stevens, the issue hasn’t been getting teams into third-and-long - it’s been about finishing the job. Specifically, containing routes over the middle and limiting yards after the catch.
On offense, the Illini will need to find a way to get something going on the ground. Their rushing attack ranked 13th in the Big Ten, and that’s not going to cut it if they want to keep Tennessee’s offense off the field. Altmyer has shown flashes, but if Illinois becomes one-dimensional, it could be a long night.
It’s also worth noting how the betting line has shifted. Tennessee opened as a 6.5-point favorite when the matchup was announced, but that number has been moving steadily toward Illinois. As of now, the Vols are still favored, but the confidence gap isn’t as wide as it once was.
Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, with ESPN carrying the broadcast. Expect a fast-paced, high-energy game in Nashville - and don’t be surprised if the scoreboard gets a workout.