While the Illinois Fighting Illini and Tennessee Volunteers didn’t find their way into the College Football Playoff this season, that doesn’t mean their seasons were a total failure.
Both teams finished 8-4 in the regular season and have earned their way into playing in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl on Tuesday. The game will be played at Nissan Stadium, home to the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, in Nashville, Tenn.
Illinois and Tennessee have a couple of stellar quarterbacks who might help this bowl game turn into a high-scoring contest.
Tennessee Volunteers Opt-Outs and Injury Report
Heading into Tuesday’s bowl game, cornerback Boo Carter and quarterback Jake Merklinger have chosen to enter the transfer portal. They will now look for another college program to join in the offseason.
The Volunteers will also be without defensive coordinator Tim Banks, who was fired by Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.
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Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar has thrown for 3,444 yards this season with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II has posted a 1,000-yard receiving season for Tennessee. Brazzell has 1,017 receiving yards along with nine touchdown catches.
As for the Volunteers’ run game, Desean Bishop anchors that and is looking to reach 1,000 yards rushing for the season. Bishop has 983 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches coming into the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.
Illinois Fighting Illini Opt-Outs and Injury Report
For the Fighting Illini, pass rusher Gabe Jacas and offensive lineman J.C. Davis made the decision not to play in the Music City Bowl as they prepare for their professional careers. Meanwhile, starting safety Matthew Bailey won’t play on Tuesday night after undergoing surgery.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has 2,811 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and five interceptions on the season. The Fighting Illini will have running back Calil Valentine anchoring the run game with 549 yards and four rushing touchdowns so far this season.
Wide receiver Hank Beatty will be a target for Altmyer’s passes against the Volunteers’ secondary. Beatty has 826 receiving yards and three touchdown catches entering Tuesday’s bowl game.
With the statistics put up by both Tennessee and Illinois offenses, there’s a good chance fans who show up for this bowl game will be highly entertained.
How to Watch the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl
The Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl will be shown on ESPN.
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 30
- Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
- Place: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
- TV: ESPN
Streaming options for the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl include the ESPN app, Fubo, Hulu + Live, and Sling. Some of these options might need subscriptions in order to watch the bowl game.
Tom Hart will call the plays from the booth while Jordan Rodgers provides commentary. Cole Cubelic will roam the sidelines during the bowl game and offer updates.
Illinois has Gabe Jacas and JC Davis sitting out. Also Matthew Bailey is hurt.
Hi! Thanks for taking the time to comment on this article. It has been amended to include the opt-outs and injury information you mentioned. Thanks again, Oliver Hodgkinson (Managing Editor)