CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For the second consecutive year the Illinois Fighting Illini are going bowling, as the team was selected to play in the Music City Bowl against Tennessee.
The (8-4, 4-4 B1G) Illini are heading to Nashville, for their third bowl game in five years under head coach Bret Bielema. It’s Illinois’ first-ever appearance in this bowl game.
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Tennessee comes in at 8-4 and 4-4 in the SEC. The Volunteers appeared in the College Football Playoff in 2024, where they lost to eventual national champ Ohio State.
Bielema is 1-1 in bowl games as the Illini head coach, and a big reason for that is opt-outs.
In the 2022 ReliaQuest Bowl multiple future draft picks, such as defensive players Devon Witherspoon, Quan Martin, Sydney Brown and running back Chase Brown sat out, resulting in multiple backups playing in the 19-10 loss to Mississippi State.
However, in the 2024 Citrus Bowl, the Illini only saw receiver Pat Bryant sit out. With all other 21 starters accounted for, the Illini went on to win the game 21-17.
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It has not been announced who on the team will and will not be suiting up, but The Champaign Room will have updates as players announce their plans.
The Music City Bowl will be played at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 30 on ESPN.
Of course, Illinois just played Tennessee in Nashville in basketball on Saturday. Should be another fun one in a few weeks.
