ESPN’s FPI projects outcome of Tennessee’s Music City Bowl matchup vs. Illinois
By David Wasson
Published:
The Tennessee Volunteers look to cap a disappointing 2025 season on a high note Tuesday when they take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl (5:30 pm ET, ESPN).
Tennessee went 8-4 in 2025, losing to then-No. 6 Georgia, then-No. 6 Alabama, then-No. 18 Oklahoma and then-No. 14 Vanderbilt as part of a 4-4 mark in the SEC.
ESPN’s FPI has predicted the outcome of the matchup, and Tennessee has been given a 62.7% chance to win.
Illinois also enters the Music City Bowl with an 8-4 record, falling to then-No. 19 Indiana, then-No. 1 Ohio State along with losses to unranked Washington and Wisconsin. The Fighting Illini finished 5-4 in Big Ten play.
Tennessee will be without four defensive starters and the SEC’s leading receiver, all of whom have declared for the NFL Draft. Chris Brazzell II led the conference with 1,017 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Illinois will be without three starters, including outside linebacker Gabe Jacas and left tackle JC Davis – who have also declared for the draft.
Tennessee ranks fourth nationally and second in the SEC at 482 yards per game. This not only is Illinois’ first time playing in the Music City Bowl, but also the first time the Fighting Illini have played the Volunteers.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
