Illinois and Tennessee meet for the first time in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, where both starting quarterbacks are expected to play. However, the line has dropped from Tennessee -6.5 to -3 because Tennessee has more players opting out. Illinois left tackle JC Davis is declaring for the NFL draft and opting out, while the Volunteers have five key players opting out, including two starting defensive backs. Both teams finished the regular season at 8-4, but it was those four losses that helped make my decision for this game. Tennessee lost to Georgia by 3, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt. Illinois lost to Indiana, Ohio State, Washington, and Wisconsin. Losing to Wisconsin is a big question mark for me. Tennessee to cover.
We have seen the SEC fall short of expectations a couple of times already in bowl season this year, and the Vols already got one of the more favorable conference draws and yet went 8-4. An analysis of the resume shows more quality losses than quality wins for Tennessee, while Illinois defeated the ACC Champions and USC on the way to its 8-4 record. Both teams have notable opt-outs, but I like Luke Altmyer to deliver a big-time performance in his final game with the Fighting Illini.
