Josh Heupel and the Tennessee football team lost the Music City Bowl to Illinois in heartbreaking fashion. The game was entertaining from start to finish, as Illinois nailed a chip shot as time expired. The Vols' defense was one step behind all night. Illinois consistently converted on 3rd down and moved the ball downfield, draining the clock. This kept Joey Aguilar and the offense off the field, which is exactly what Illinois wanted.
If Tennessee makes a kick early in the game, maybe things work out a bit differently. But at the end of the day, we can't blame one missed kick in the first half for the loss. Sure, would it have been nice to have? Definitely, but the defense didn't execute well enough stopping the run, and the offense fumbled the ball for a touchdown, which was a killer.
After the game, Heupel was clearly disappointed. This team was missing a lot of NFL talent that opted out, but that's not an excuse. In year five, eight wins isn't the standard. Heupel knows that he needs to get his young team improved fast because 2026 is a massive year for the program.
Huepel challenged the young Tennessee squad this offseason, saying, "I think the disappointment of this game has got to be the fuel you use as motivation starting tomorrow and when we get back in January. That’s what I talked to our guys in the locker room tonight.
Heupel: I think the disappointment of this game has got to be the fuel you use as motivation starting tomorrow and when we get back in January. That’s what I talked to our guys in the locker room tonight.
— GoVols247 (@GoVols247) December 31, 2025
Using the loss as motivation
This one should sting for Tennessee all off-season. The good news is the Vols return plenty of production, and Tennessee will be very active in the transfer portal. Jim Knowles has a lot of work ahead of him on defense, but he is one of the best, if not the best, defensive masterminds in the sport. His help is needed badly.
Next year, this team won't look totally different, but there will be some new faces for sure. Heupel needs to figure out who the QB1 will be, and they have to end high-end talent wherever they can.
Tennessee has one goal next fall, and it's to make it back to the College Football Playoffs. The Music City Bowl, and the entire 2025 season, should leave a bad a taste in the teams mouth as they prep for next fall.