Tennessee vs. Illinois Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl
The Tennessee Volunteers will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl on Tuesday evening in the first-ever meeting between these programs. Jack Borovitz analyzes the Tennessee vs. Illinois transfer portal and opt-out tracker for Tuesday, December 30th in the Music City Bowl.
Jack Borovitz - December 30, 2025, 12:45 PM EST
5 Minute ReadTennessee vs. Illinois Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl on Tuesday, December 30th
The Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl brings a first-time matchup with dramatically different circumstances than the market expected. Tennessee sits as a -2.5 favorite after the line opened at -6.5, a massive four-point move that reflects the Vols' defensive depletion and coaching uncertainty. Both teams finished 8-4, but the paths to this number tell the real story. Tennessee lost its SEC leading receiver, its leading tackler, its best cornerback, and its top pass rusher to NFL Draft declarations. Illinois lost its All-Big Ten left tackle and Big Ten sack leader but kept quarterback Luke Altmyer, who confirmed he will play.
Tennessee enters navigating defensive chaos after firing coordinator Tim Banks, who served in that role since 2021. Linebackers coach William Inge takes over as interim with limited practice time to install a new scheme. WR Chris Brazzell declared for the NFL Draft after catching 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns, leading the SEC in receiving yards. LB Arion Carter, the team's leading tackler with 76 stops, opted out. CB Colton Hood, an All-SEC selection who recorded a pick-six and scoop-and-score this season, declared for the draft. DE Joshua Josephs, the team's best pass rusher, also opted out. CB Jermod McCoy missed the entire season with injury and won't play.
Illinois has continuity where Tennessee has questions. QB Luke Altmyer returns after throwing for over 3,000 yards this season. The Illini finished the regular season with four straight unders, winning 20-13 over Northwestern in the finale. Coach Bret Bielema brings the same staff and same approach that has worked all year. Illinois went 7-4-1 ATS during the regular season compared to Tennessee's 3-7 mark, showing the Illini have been undervalued by markets all year. LT J.C. Davis, an All-Big Ten first-teamer who started 25 straight games, opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. LB Gabe Jacas, the Big Ten sack leader with 11 on the year, also declared. S Matthew Bailey, the Illini's leading tackler, is out with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
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Tennessee vs. Illinois Date, Time, and Where to Watch Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl
- Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2025
- Time: 5:30 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Tennessee vs. Illinois Odds
Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
Tennessee -2.5 (-112) | Illinois +2.5 (-108) |
Tennessee ML (-135) | Illinois ML (+114) |
Over 61.5 Total Points | Under 61.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest Tennessee vs. Illinois Odds
Tennessee vs. Illinois Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
Tennessee Transfer Portal
- CB Boo Carter (239 snaps)
- RB Peyton Lewis (164 snaps)
Tennessee Opt-Outs
- WR Chris Brazzell II (declared for NFL draft)
- LB Arion Carter (declared for NFL draft)
- CB Jermod McCoy (out all year)
Tennessee Potential Opt-Outs
- LT Lance Heard
- DE Joshua Josephs (would expect him to miss)
- CB Colton Hood (likely to declare for NFL draft)
- S Jalen McMurray
- TE Miles Kitselman (also injured)
Tennessee Injuries
- RG Wendell Moe (likely to miss)
- DT Jaxson Moi (237 snaps; likely to miss)
- TE Miles Kitselman (missed final 2 games)
- CB Rickey Gibson III (out all year)
- EDGE Jordan Ross (missed finale; 217 snaps)
Tennessee Coaching Changes
Tennessee fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks, who had served in that role since 2021. LB coach William Inge will serve as interim.
Illinois Opt-Outs
- LB Gabe Jacas
- OL J.C. Davis
Illinois Potential Opt-Outs
- S Xavier Scott
- WR Hank Beatty
- TE Tanner Arkin
Illinois Injuries
- LB Jojo Hayden (missed finale; 239 snaps)
- S Matthew Bailey (had surgery; will not play)
Tennessee vs. Illinois Odds Breakdown - Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl
Tennessee's offensive firepower remains intact despite losing Brazzell. QB Joey Aguilar threw for big numbers all season, and the passing game grades out near the top nationally. RB DeSean Bishop rushed for 983 yards and 14 touchdowns, providing a physical presence that can control tempo. Freshmen Radarious Jackson and Travis Smith will replace Brazzell, and both have flashed late in the season. The Vols averaged 40.8 points per game during the regular season, ranking sixth nationally. That explosiveness doesn't disappear overnight, but the question becomes whether Illinois can slow them down enough to keep the game manageable.
Tennessee's defense lost its identity when Banks got fired and its talent when Carter, Hood, Josephs, and McCoy became unavailable. Starting cornerbacks McCoy and Gibson already missed the season with injuries. Now Hood has opted out, leaving freshman Ty Redmond as the best remaining corner. Carter led the team in tackles before opting out. Josephs provided the only consistent pass rush. Illinois will attack these weaknesses with a veteran quarterback who has seen every coverage and a physical running game that grinds out first downs. The Vols allowed 28.8 points per game during the regular season, and that number gets worse without their best defenders.
Illinois plays within structure and doesn't beat itself. Altmyer is efficient with a low mistake rate, completing passes at a high percentage and avoiding turnovers. The Illini averaged 29.3 points per game and allowed 23.2, showing balance on both sides. They finished the season with four straight unders, emphasizing ball control and field position over explosiveness. Without Davis at left tackle, Illinois loses protection on Altmyer's blind side, but the backup has experience from earlier in the season. Jacas' absence hurts the pass rush, but Tennessee's depleted secondary creates opportunities even without elite pressure.
From a market perspective, the line dropped from -6.5 to -2.5 toward Illinois, a four-point move driven by sharp money recognizing Tennessee's defensive issues. Public perception sees SEC speed and a name-brand offense, making Tennessee an easy sell. The sharper side of the market grabbed Illinois early when the value existed at +6.5 and hasn't let go. Tennessee went just 5-7 ATS during the regular season while Illinois finished 7-4-1, showing the Illini have been undervalued all year. Both teams lost key players, but Tennessee's losses came on defense where they were already struggling, while Illinois lost front-seven players but kept their quarterback and offensive identity.
Tennessee vs. Illinois Best Bet
- Pick: Illinois +2.5 (-108) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
The four-point line movement tells the story better than any analysis can. Sharp money hammered Illinois when Tennessee opened as a near-touchdown favorite, and the market respected that action. Tennessee lost too many defensive pieces and faces too much coaching uncertainty to lay points in a bowl game. Illinois has continuity, a veteran quarterback, and a season-long track record of covering numbers. Taking the points with the more stable program is the right side in Nashville.
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