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Illinois Fighting Illini Football Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Altmyer's SEC Showdown: Tennessee Rivalry Resurfaces

In the upcoming Music City Bowl, Tennessee and Illinois face off, with a captivating backstory involving Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer. Rumors suggest Tennessee pursued Altmyer last offseason, but he chose to stay with Illinois, citing team bonds. Now, both quarterbacks, Altmyer and Tennessees Joey Aguilar, prepare to face off in a potential high-scoring game, with Altmyer relishing the chance to play against an SEC opponent.

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  • Tennessee Volunteers vs Illinois Fighting Illini

    01:28|
    Tennessee Volunteers to face Illinois Fighting Illini in Music City Bowl, with ESPN predicting a high-scoring game favoring Tennessee.
  • Illini vs Volunteers: Music City Bowl Showdown

    01:36|
    Illinois Fighting Illini football team heads to Music City Bowl, facing Tennessee Volunteers on December 30th in Nashville. Both teams finished with 8-4 records, setting up a competitive matchup. Coach Bret Bielema emphasizes the significance of bowl games for players and families. A heartwarming moment occurs when Altmyers mother texts Bielema about Mississippi fans attending. Nashvilles proximity to Champaign-Urbana makes it an ideal location for Illinois fans. Coach Bielema appreciates the games timing and the teams stay at the Opryland Hotel. This bowl game provides an opportunity for Illinois to compete against a challenging SEC opponent, with Coach Bielema looking forward to the matchup on a national stage.
  • Illini vs Volunteers in Music City Bowl

    01:31|
    Illinois Fighting Illini football team to face Tennessee Volunteers in Music City Bowl, marking their first-ever meeting in football. Coach Bret Bielema, who recently watched his basketball team defeat the Volunteers, is excited for this opportunity. This will be Illinoiss first Music City Bowl appearance, and Bielema praised the Nashville Sports Council for the invitation. The team has secured a spot in three bowl games under Bielema, all against SEC teams. Despite a loss in the ReliaQuest Bowl, they secured a victory against South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl last season. This season, Illinois has achieved winning at least eight games in back-to-back years, a feat not accomplished since 1989 and 1990.
  • Volunteers vs Illini: Bowl Game Showdown

    01:52|
    Tennessee Volunteers face Illinois Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl, with Tennessee favored by six and a half points. The games dynamics could shift due to potential player opt-outs for the NFL Draft or transfer portal. Illinois, with an 8-4 record, boasts a strong defense, holding opponents under fourteen points in three games. Their standout win was a thrilling victory over USC, but they also suffered significant losses to Washington and Wisconsin. Quarterback Luke Altmyer leads the Illinois offense, with running back Ca’Lil Valentine and wide receiver Hank Beatty also contributing significantly.
  • Illini Face Tennessee in Music City Bowl

    01:22|
    Illinois Fighting Illini football team heads to Music City Bowl, facing Tennessee Volunteers for the first time. Despite being underdogs, Illinois aims for back-to-back nine-win seasons. Key players participation crucial. Game scheduled for December 30th on ESPN.
  • Bielema Hints Altmyer Playing in Music City Bowl

    01:38|
    Illinois head coach Bret Bielema hints at Luke Altmyers participation in the Music City Bowl, fueling excitement for the teams final game and a potential boost to their offense.
  • Illinois Fighting Illini in Music City Bowl

    01:41|
    Illinois Fighting Illini Accept Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl Invitation: A Historic Matchup Against Tennessee Volunteers
  • Illini in Music City Bowl: Tennessee Showdown

    01:29|
    Illinois Fighting Illini secure third bowl appearance under Bret Bielema, facing Tennessee Volunteers in Music City Bowl. With eight wins and four losses, both teams had a solid regular season. Tennessees playoff appearance in 2024 adds intrigue. Past bowl games impacted by player opt-outs, but 2022 Citrus Bowl win showed potential with starters playing. Uncertainty remains for this years Music City Bowl, with updates expected. Game airs on ESPN at 4:30 PM on December 30th.