The Tennessee Volunteers and the Illinois Fighting Illini play in the Music City Bowl on December 30, 2025.

The Volunteers are the favorites (-3.5) in their game versus the Fighting Illini, with the over/under at 61.5 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Volunteers are -159 and the Fighting Illini are +134.)

Keep reading for our betting preview for this this contest between the Volunteers and the Fighting Illini, and discover all of our betting picks here, too!

Tennessee vs. Illinois betting lines

• Spread favorite: Volunteers (-3.5)
• Moneyline: Volunteers (-159), Fighting Illini (+134)
• Total: 61.5 points
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Live Stream: Fubo

Tennessee vs. Illinois betting info and stats

Tennessee has an against-the-spread record of 5-7-0 so far this season. Tennessee is 4-4 ATS when the favorite by at least 3.5 points. Tennessee has won six of its eight games played as the moneyline favorite this season. Illinois, through 12 games with a set spread so far this season, is 7-4-1 against the spread. When Illinois is an underdog by 3.5 points or more, it is 1-3 ATS. Illinois has been the moneyline underdog four times this year, going 1-3 in those games.

Tennessee vs. Illinois recent stats and trends

Tennessee Volunteers

• Tennessee is 1-2 against the spread in its past three games, and has a 2-1 straight-up record in those contests.
• Tennessee and its opponents have combined to hit the over one time in those games.
• Tennessee’s last three outings have ended with an average of 61.8 points scored. That’s 0.3 more points than this contest’s over/under.

Illinois Fighting Illini

• Illinois is 1-1-1 against the spread over its past three games, and has a 2-1 straight-up record in those contests.
• The final combined score of each of the last three Illinois games fell short of the set point total.
• The last three Illinois games averaged 45.8 total points, 15.7 fewer points than this matchup’s over/under.

Tennessee vs. Illinois key players

Tennessee Volunteers

• Joey Aguilar has thrown for 3,444 yards (287.0 ypg) to lead Tennessee, completing 66.8% of his passes and recording 24 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions this season.
• The team’s top rusher, DeSean Bishop, has carried the ball 163 times for 983 yards (81.9 per game), scoring 14 times. He’s also caught 12 passes for 127 yards.
• Star Thomas has been handed the ball 95 times this year and racked up 529 yards (44.1 per game) with seven touchdowns.
• Chris Brazzell II’s 1,017 yards as a receiver lead the team. He’s been targeted 96 times and has registered 62 receptions and nine touchdowns.
• Braylon Staley has put together an 806-yard season so far with six touchdowns, reeling in 64 passes on 93 targets.
• Mike Matthews has hauled in 50 receptions for 770 yards, an average of 64.2 yards per game. He’s scored four times as a receiver this season.
• Dominic Bailey paces the team with 4.5 sacks, and also has 3.0 TFL and 25 tackles.
• Tennessee’s tackle leader, Edwin Spillman, has 66 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, and one interception this year.
• Ty Redmond leads the team with three interceptions, while also recording 33 tackles and four passes defended.

Illinois Fighting Illini

• Luke Altmyer has recored 2,811 passing yards, or 234.3 per game, so far this season. He has completed 68.1% of his passes and has tossed 21 touchdowns with five interceptions. He’s also contributed on the ground with 15.7 rushing yards per game while scoring as a runner four times.
• Ca’Lil Valentine has rushed 123 times for 549 yards, with four touchdowns.
• Kaden Feagin has compiled 499 yards on 119 carries with seven touchdowns, while also catching 16 passes for 188 yards and two scores.
• Hank Beatty has hauled in 826 receiving yards on 64 catches to pace his squad so far this season while scoring three touchdowns as a receiver.
• Collin Dixon has caught 33 passes and compiled 538 receiving yards (44.8 per game) with five touchdowns.
• Hudson Clement’s 33 catches (on 53 targets) have netted him 406 yards (33.8 ypg) and three touchdowns.
• Gabe Jacas paces the team with 11.0 sacks, and also has 6.0 TFL and 39 tackles.
• Illinois’ tackle leader, Matthew Bailey, has 69 tackles and 3.0 TFL this year.
• Miles Scott leads the team with three interceptions, while also putting up 43 tackles, 3.0 TFL, one sack, and three passes defended.