Tennessee’s postseason destination is set, and the Volunteers will finish 2025 in its home state.
The Vols accepted a bid to the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl and will face Illinois on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The game scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. Central kickoff on ESPN.
Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 SEC) ended the regular season ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press Top 25 but outside the College Football Playoff’s Top 25, leaving it in the next tier of SEC bowl placements.
“We appreciate the opportunity to send our seniors out with one final game in our home state in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said in a statement. “The opportunity to prepare and compete against an outstanding Big Ten opponent the caliber of Illinois is one we look forward to. Vol Nation has been unwavering in its loyalty and support of our players. It’s something we never take for granted. We are excited to go play in front of them one more time in 2025 in Nashville.”
Tennessee’s bowl projection picture included several SEC tie-in games in Florida. Several ESPN analysts projected a Sunshine State finish for the Vols. However, those spots went elsewhere after the CFP field was set.
In Tampa, No. 14 Vanderbilt will play No. 23 Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31 at Raymond James Stadium.
In Orlando, No. 13 Texas will meet No. 18 Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium.
In Jacksonville, Missouri will take on the ACC runner-up, Virginia in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 27 at EverBank Stadium.
Had Tennessee reached nine regular season wins, their chances would’ve been much greater. Those three SEC teams all finished ahead of Tennessee in conference standings. The Vols finished 9th in the conference.
Now, Tennessee and Illinois will meet for the first time.
It will be Tennessee’s fourth appearance in the Music City Bowl.
The Vols beat Nebraska 38-24 in the 2016 game, then dropped a 30-27 double-overtime decision to North Carolina in the 2010 edition. Then in Heupel’s first with Tennessee, the Vols ended its campaign with a 48-45 overtime loss to Purdue in the 2021 season.
Heupel has a 45-19 record in five seasons and is the third Tennessee coach to reach a bowl in each of his first five seasons, joining Phillip Fulmer (1993-97) and Bill Battle (1970-74), according to the school.
