Illinois vs Tennessee football live updates: Music City Bowl predictions, time

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Tennessee will try to wrap up the 2025 college football season with a ninth win. The No. 23 Vols (8-4) conclude their year in the Music City Bowl in Nashville against Illinois (8-4) in a SEC vs. Big Ten matchup.

The game is set for Dec. 30 (4:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) and will be held at Nissan Stadium.

This likely is the conclusion of Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar’s college career. Aguilar led the SEC in passing this season in his lone year in Knoxville. He will be paired against Illinois QB Luke Altmyer.

Tennessee will be without several key players who have opted out of the bowl game: wide receiver Chris Brazzell, linebacker Arion Carter, cornerback Colton Hood and edge rusher Joshua Josephs.

When does Tennessee vs Illinois start?  

  • Date: Tuesday, Dec. 30
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. CT
  • Where: Nissan Stadium in Nashville

What channel is Tennessee vs Illinois on TV today?  

  • TV: ESPN
  • How to watch online: Fubo (subscribe today)

Music City Bowl prediction

Adam Sparks, Tennessee football beat writer: Tennessee 42, Illinois 38 

Tennessee football 2025 schedule

Aug. 30: vs. Syracuse (Win 45-26)

Sept. 6: vs. East Tennessee State (Win 72-17)

Sept. 13: vs. Georgia (Loss 44-41, overtime)

Sept. 20: vs. UAB (Win 56-24)

Sept. 27: at Mississippi State (Win 41-34, overtime)

Oct. 11: vs. Arkansas (Win 34-31)

Oct. 18: at Alabama (Loss 37-20)

Oct. 25: at Kentucky (Win 56-34)

Nov. 1: vs. Oklahoma (Loss 33-27)

Nov. 15: vs. New Mexico State (Win 42-9)

Nov. 22: at Florida (Win 31-11)

Nov. 29: vs. Vanderbilt (Loss 45-24)

Illinois football 2025 schedule

Aug. 29: vs. Western Illinois (Win 52-3)

Sept. 6: at Duke (Win 45-19)

Sept. 13: vs. Western Michigan (Win 38-0)

Sept. 20: at Indiana (Loss 63-10)

Sept. 27: vs. Southern Cal (Win 34-32)

Oct. 4: at Purdue (Win 43-27)

Oct. 11: vs. Ohio State (Loss 34-16)

Oct. 25: at Washington (Loss 42-25)

Nov. 1: vs. Rutgers (Win 35-13)

Nov. 8: vs. Maryland (Win 24-6)

Nov. 22: at Wisconsin (Loss 27-10)

Nov. 29: vs. Northwestern (Win 20-13)

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee vs Illinois live updates, Music City Bowl start time, picks

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