Tennessee Volunteers vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, 12/30/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tennessee Volunteers vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Location: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Fighting Illini (+2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 61.5

Nissan Stadium is where the Illinois Fighting Illini (8-4) will try to defeat the Tennessee Volunteers (8-4) on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl. Illinois is 2.5-point underdogs. The over/under has been set at 61.5.

The Tennessee Volunteers head into this matchup 8-4 for this season. In their last game, the Volunteers took the field against the Vanderbilt Commodores and went home with a loss by a final score of 45-24. The Tennessee Volunteers ran the ball 31 different times and totaled 83 yds, earning them an average of 2.7 yards per tote. In all, they ran 75 plays for 382 yards. Tennessee allowed 18 completions on 28 tries for 268 yds, and a completion rate of 64.3%. In the running game, the Volunteers gave up 314 yds on 37 tries, which is an average of 8.5 yards per rush allowed.

The Volunteers have racked up 5,784 total yards for the year. When it comes to scoring, Tennessee has earned 26 touchdowns through the air and 32 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the ball over 16 times. Tennessee has earned 312 first downs, and they have been flagged for 76 infractions for 667 yds. As a team they're holding an average of 174.8 yards rushing which is 50th in Division 1. Concerning putting the ball in the endzone, the Tennessee Volunteers are sitting at 40.8 points per outing.

The Volunteers are ranked 93rd in the country in terms of the opposition scoring, conceding 28.8 points per game. The opposition is running for an average of 3.9 yards per attempt on the ground and 146.7 rushing yards per game for the campaign. Overall, they have given up 1,760 rushing yards through 12 contests. Concerning yards via the pass, the Volunteers are allowing 2,986 yards which ranks them 112th in college football. They have allowed 248.8 yards per contest via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 66.7%. For the year, they have relinquished 395.5 yards/contest which puts them 89th in the nation. They have granted 18 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 23 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Fighting Illini head into this game 8-4 this season. In their last game, the Fighting Illini took home the win by a final score of 20-13 when they faced the Northwestern Wildcats. Illinois relinquished 29 running attempts for 91 yards (3.1 yards per carry). The Fighting Illini pass defense allowed a completion rate of 52.8%, surrendering 163 yards on 19 for 36 through the air. The Fighting Illini finished with a total of 284 yds on 52 plays (5.5 yds per play). Illinois rushed for 3.3 yards per tote, finishing the contest with 120 yards on 36 attempts.

The Illinois Fighting Illini hold an average of 370.3 yards per outing, which has them sitting 83rd in D-1. The Illinois offense has racked up 493 penalty yds on 56 infractions, which ranks 118th in the country in terms of helping out the other team. They maintain an average of 131.2 yards per game on the ground and have rushed for 1,574 yards for the year. They have given away 6 interceptions while surrendering 5 fumbles and they have been able to earn 250 1st downs. When it comes to this team's ability to score points, the Fighting Illini sit 55th in Division 1 scoring 29.3 PPG. For the year so far, the Fighting Illini have compiled 2,869 yards via the pass as well as holding an average of 239.1 throwing yards per game, ranking them 58th in Division 1.

The Fighting Illini are surrendering 23.3 PPG, which has them 54th in college football. Illinois has conceded a total of 1,488 yards via the ground game (124.0 yards per game) in addition to 14 touchdowns on the ground so far this season. They have allowed 19 touchdowns through the air and 226.5 yards per game, which puts them in 80th in the country. The Fighting Illini defense has taken part in 791 plays, which has them ranked 46th in college football. Their defense has totaled 10 fumbles recovered and 6 picks so far this season. In total, they have conceded 280 pts.

Who will win tonight's Volunteers/Fighting Illini college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Fighting Illini +2.5

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