It’s not uncommon in 2025 for players to opt out of bowl games, especially when their teams don’t make the College Football Playoffs. Illinois starting quarterback Luke Altmyer won’t be doing that. Altmyer will play in the Music City Bowl for Illinois,

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer says he won't opt out and will play vs. Tennessee in the Dec. 30 Music City Bowl in Nashville.

The Illinois football program is chasing nine wins for the second consecutive season. Its most important player offensively delivered a huge update Friday that certainly raises the stakes of the Music City Bowl against Tennessee Dec.

Illinois standout outside linebacker Gabe Jacas made a critical decision Friday regarding his immediate football future between the NFL and playing one final college football game. It's arguably the right one.

Here's a quick rundown on when and where the 2025 Music City Bowl will be played. All matchups will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 7. All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at 7:34 p.m. Date: Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and opted out of the Music City Bowl. He was an All-SEC second-team selection.

Ticket prices for the Tennessee vs. Illinois start at $80 on SeatGeek. Prices in the lower bowl range from $155 to $354. To see a full list of ticket prices, visit SeatGeek. The Tennessee Vols will meet the Illinois Fighting Illini on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

The Illini (8-4) will be chasing nine wins and unprecedented program momentum against an SEC foe on Dec. 30 in Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee will play Illinois in the Music City Bowl, featuring prolific passers Joey Aguilar and Luke Altmyer. Here's the matchup and prediction.

Tennessee will make a fifth straight bowl appearance under coach Josh Heupel. Here are the details of the Vols' bowl selection.

The Illinois Fighting Illini face the Tennessee Volunteers in the Music City Bowl on Dec 30. Here are ticket prices and how you can buy one for Nashville.

Sunday morning's latest reports have the Fighting Illini locked into the Music City Bowl in Nashville, according to On3Sports and CBS Sports, but the opponent is still up in the air given the fluid College Football Playoff field.