The Tennessee Vols arrived in Nashville shortly after Christmas to continue preparations for their upcoming matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl.

Tennessee is holding practices at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville.

Illinois, meanwhile, is practicing at Vanderbilt.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema explains why Tennessee didn’t want to practice at Vanderbilt

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema met with reporters on Saturday to discuss the matchup against Tennessee.

Bielema pointed out that Illinois is practicing at Vanderbilt in part because Tennessee didn’t want to use its rival’s facilities.

“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 (Clark) Lea before we came down here, and to have this facility has been absolutely awesome.”

Tennessee used Vanderbilt’s facility in 2021 before playing Purdue in the Music City Bowl. I’m guessing the Vols were a little less enthused at the idea of practicing at Vandy after losing to the Commodores by 21 points in the regular season finale.

By the way, Bielema is incorrect that Illinois is the first Big 10 team to use Vanderbilt’s facility.

Nebraska, for example, practiced at Vanderbilt in 2016 before facing Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.

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