The Illinois Fighting Illini face the South Carolina Gamecocks in Citrus Bowl, one of multiple college football bowl games. Kickoff from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 31 on ABC.
Coach Bret Bielema and Illinois (9-3) won nine games for the first time since 2007 and finished the regular season No. 21 in the USA TODAY US LBM Coaches Poll and The Associated Press poll. They are No. 20 in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
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South Carolina (9-3) finished tied with Alabama and Ole Miss in an SEC logjam, all three missing the inaugural CFP. Coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks are ranked No. 14 in the coaches and AP polls and No. 15 in the CFP ranks.
Illinois vs South Carolina odds
Odds courtesy of FanDuel, as of Dec. 8, 2024:
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Citrus bowl tickets:Prices, how to buy Illinois vs. South Carolina tickets
Illinois vs South Carolina predictions
How the Journal Star staff thinks the Illini will fare in the Citrus Bowl vs. South Carolina.
Wes Huett (10-2)
South Carolina 24, Illinois 23: Illinois will miss all-Big Ten WR Pat Bryant, who decided to opt out and focus on the NFL Draft. Bowl games often come down to who decides to show up — and I fully trust the Illini will play hard for Bret Bielema. This game will be closer than the early 7.5-point spread dictates, and if too many Gamecocks opt out, I could flip this pick as we approach New Year’s Eve.
Dave Eminian (9-3)
South Carolina 34, Illinois 28: The Illini lost key veteran receiver Patrick Bryant for the Citrus Bowl when he opted out to prep for the NFL Draft. South Carolina lineup is intact so far, although elite DT TJ Sanders and edge Kyle Kennard could follow in Bryant’s path. South Carolina trying for fifth 10-win season in 117 years, and stinging from missing the 12-team playoff after wins over ranked Texas A&M, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Clemson and losses by combined five points to LSU, Alabama. They bring the nation’s No. 40 offense and No. 14 defense — both better than an Illinois team poised for a program record-tying 10th win.
Adam Duvall (8-4)
South Carolina 41, Illinois 27: The Gamecocks will be playing with a chip on their shoulder after many pundits thought they deserved to be in the College Football Playoff. Illinois will be without the services of all-Big Ten WR Pat Bryant, who opted out of the bowl game. But if South Carolina sees a lot of its top players opting out, Illinois fans won’t be complaining for a 10-win season and a bowl win over an SEC opponent.
When does Illinois play South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl?
The Fighting Illini and the Gamecocks play at 2 p.m. CT Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Ticket prices for the Illinois vs South Carolina at the Citrus Bowl start at $165 on VividSeats, $158 on StubHub and $231 on SeatGeek. To see a full list of ticket prices, visit the sites below:
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