We’re just over two weeks away from the 2025 Music City Bowl, which will take place on Dec. 30 between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Illinois Fighting Illini in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. Tennessee opened up bowl season as a 6.5-point favorite on Dec. 7, but has dropped by a field goal in the last eight days. Currently, Tennessee is just a 3.5-point favorite, according to DraftKings.
A lot has happened since then, though. For one, Tennessee’s leading wide receiver, Chris Brazzell, has opted out of the game as he begins prep for the 2026 NFL Draft, while Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has announced that he does intend to play in the bowl game. Additionally, Tennessee has gone through a big coaching staff change, with the firing of defensive coordinator Tim Banks.
Despite all of that, though, Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon still believes that Tennessee will beat Illinois and cover the moved line. Kenyon released his 2025 non-playoff college football bowl predictions over the weekend, with Tennessee projected to defeat Illinois by a score of 31-27. It’s barely covering, but it’s still covering.
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Kenyon’s prediction comes after ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg also picked Tennessee to win by a score of 37-30. That prediction came just one day after Selection Sunday, though, which didn’t necessarily account for some of the previously mentioned storylines that have unfolded in the last handful of days.
ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Tennessee a 67.2% chance to win the game.
Tennessee and Illinois will square off in the 2025 Music City Bowl at 5:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 30, in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football bowl coverage.
