Illinois Athletics
No. 23 Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 SEC) will close its 2025 season in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, where it will meet Illinois (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. EST on ESPN. The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs.
As both teams began preparations for the postseason, Illinois announced a roster change. Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Jeremiah Warren entered the NCAA transfer portal ahead of the bowl game.
“While I am so grateful for my time at Illinois, I will be entering my name into the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining,” Warren said in a statement.
Warren, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound interior lineman, appeared in 26 games for the Illini from 2023-25, recording 13 tackles. He joined the program out of Belleville High School in Belleville, Michigan.
Tennessee will be making its first Music City Bowl appearance since 2021, while Illinois returns to postseason play for the second time under head coach Bret Bielema.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
