Tennessee football’s preparation for the 2025 Music City Bowl includes an interesting wrinkle, as the Volunteers will not be practicing at Vanderbilt’s facility despite being in Nashville. This move does not come as a huge surprise, as Josh Heupel wants nothing to do with Vandy. The finale of the 2025 regular season is not what Tennessee wanted, and they have chosen to avoid the Commodores at all costs.
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Typically, the SEC team uses Vanderbilt’s practice facilities during bowl week, but the Vols chose to go a different route this time. Honestly, it feels fitting because Tennessee and Vanderbilt just don’t belong together.
Bret Bielema seems to be enjoying the use of Vandy's facilities, as he raved about it in pre game media session.
“The people here in Nashville have been absolutely awesome,” said Bielema. “To use Vanderbilt’s facility, an SEC team, and we’re the first Big 10 team to be in this building. Usually, the SEC is always in here. But I know Tennessee really didn’t want to use Vandy’s facility, which I understand. I understand rivalries. But we’ve been a benefiter of that. It’s an unbelievable facility. I talked to Coach Lea before we came down here, and to have this facility has been absolutely awesome.”
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I love petty rivalry stuff, and this is a perfect example. I don't blame Heupel for not wanting to be around the ugly black-and-gold all week. Plus, it's just a reminder of the final week's poor performance.
Tennessee is instead practicing at Montgomery Bell Academy, despite practicing at Vandy when they were in the bowl a few years ago. This time around, it was smart of Heupel to avoid Vandy. They have stepped up their game and made this a rivalry again.
Tennessee has a chance to win nine games this season, and despite the practice facility debacle, the Vols will be ready to go. Tennessee is missing some key players due to opt-outs, but most of the roster will be playing in the Tuesday clash versus Illinois.
While Tennessee’s decision to skip Vanderbilt’s practice facility might raise a few eyebrows, it’s really a fun, petty rivalry move. We don't like them, and they don't like us, so why even bother being in the same room? At the end of the day, it's just a practice field. The Vols want to win one more game for Joey Aguilar and build momentum for the 2026 campaign, and that starts with a Music City Bowl win.