Big Orange Report December 25, 2025

 


Music City Bowl 

(Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m.) ESPN TV
While the college football playoffs obviously dominate the spotlight and the headlines, some of the bowl contests have hidden, specific meanings to the teams involved. In the case of the Tennessee Vols, the showdown with Illinois in Nashville presents an opportunity to wipe away the bitter memories of the fiasco that was the loss to Vanderbilt in the final regular season game. For the staff and players from UT, picking up that ninth victory and finishing the schedule on a high note will send the Big Orange into the off season with a more positive perspective for next year.
This game has provided the team extra practice days and that means a lot for the younger guys on the roster. Another chance to gain game experience against a quality opponent also has hidden significance for this Volunteer football squad.
Tennessee and Illinois look to be evenly matched on paper. Both finished with 8-4 records in the regular season. The Illini started hot, went 5-1 in the early going with impressive victories over Duke and Southern Cal and was ranked in the top 25 for three weeks. The team struggled in the second half of the schedule going 3-3 and just escaped in a couple of the victories against weaker rated opponents. The Illinois defense finished in the bottom third of the Big Ten statistics and was 12th in points allowed with an average of 23.3. Opponents averaged 351 yards of total offense against Illinois which slotted them at No. 13 in the conference.
Key Matchups
The line of scrimmage-- Bowl games often pit teams that have very little intel and knowledge about the opposing squad. The battle in the trenches, at the point of attack, is usually a primary factor in the eventual outcome on the scoreboard. The Vol offensive line has all hands-on deck and should have an edge against the Illini front seven. Pass rusher Gabe Jacas will not play after opting out of the game. He led the Big Ten in sacks with 11 and tackles for loss with 13.5.
Illinois All Big Ten left offensive tackle J.C. Davis has opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. Lining up across from the new starter will be Caleb Herring or Jordan Ross, both healthy and ready to rush the quarterback in passing situations.  
William Inge vs. Barry Lunney, Jr.-- Tennessee's linebacker coach, Inge, is the Vols' interim defensive coordinator for this bowl game. He was co-defensive coordinator at Washington before joining the Tennessee staff. He will match wits in Nashville with veteran play caller, Lunney, who has worked in the SEC at Arkansas for two stints before coming to Illinois from UTSA. Lunney has a veteran quarterback in Luke Altmyer who started his collegiate career at Ole Miss. This season Altmyer passed for 2811 yards and 21 touchdowns with just five interceptions. His favorite target is Hank Beatty who had 64 receptions for 826 yards and three scores. The "home run" receiver is Collin Dixon who grabbed 33 passes for 538 yards and five touchdowns. Dixon averaged almost 17 yards per catch.
Inge is going to have to mix his coverages and probably blitz with his star (rover) and linebackers against a passer that is not easily rattled in big games. Inge will want to stall the Illini running attack and try and keep them behind the sticks for third and long situations.
Secret Weapon
This may be a stretch, but with Chris Brazzell opting out for the NFL draft, Tennessee will have to start a freshman in his spot. Illinois will concentrate on the two proven receivers, Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews. The surprise might turn out to be first year wideout Radarious Jackson who only had cameo appearances this season. Jackson is a 6-2, 210-pound athlete with very good speed, moves and perhaps, the best catch radius on the team. Vol quarterback Joey Aguilar said this, "You throw the ball anywhere near him, he's going to catch it!" Jackson will draw single coverage in this game. Keep an eye peeled for No. 5 in Nashville.  
Watch for This
The energy, concentration and emotions early in the game might be a barometer for which team wants this victory. Hopefully, Tennessee's young defenders, including linebackers Edwin Spillman and Jadon Perlotte, will be fired up and ready to battle all  four quarters.

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