The Trench Report: Tennessee

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 3, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

I could get used to finishing a season this way. Illinois finished its second straight 9-win season with its second straight win over an SEC team that it had never beaten before. Not only that, but they did it in what felt a whole lot like a road venue, and they did it while outgaining Tennessee 417 yards to 278 and winning the turnover battle. Without a very fortunate kickoff return and a couple of bad breaks, this is a convincing win over a big . . .

 

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