Illinois Football Bowl Game Predictions Entering Selection Sunday

Final Bowl Game Prediction For Illinois Football

According to the latest bowl projections from Brett McMurphy of The Action Network, Illinois Football looks poised to ring in the New Year in Orlando. The Fighting Illini will likely face South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, based on McMurphy’s final predictions. This matchup would cap off a monumental 9-3 season, with Illinois seeking its first 10-win campaign since 2001.

Notably, the Illini will enter this pivotal matchup without star wide receiver Pat Bryant. The record-breaking wideout will sit out the bowl game as he shifts his focus to preparing for the NFL Draft. Head coach Bret Bielema announced the news earlier this week.

Entering Saturday’s games, bowl pairings are becoming much clearer. My latest bowl projections one day before @CFBPlayoff field announced https://t.co/IBcgUW6bA5

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 7, 2024

Get to Know: The South Carolina Gamecocks

Head Coach: Shane Beamer

Regular Season Record: 9-3 (5-3 in SEC)

SEC Ranking: Currently 6th 

Best Win: 44-20 over No. 20 (No. 10 at the time) Texas A&M  

Worst Loss: 36-33 to LSU 

Shane Beamer, son of legendary Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, had South Carolina on the verge of a College Football Playoff berth in his fourth season in Columbus. At the end of the regular season, USC was regeared as one of the hottest teams in the nation, riding a six-game winning streak over Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Wofford, and most recently over in-state ACC rival (#17) Clemson.

However, despite a hot streak, it now appears that the (#14) Gamecocks’ chances of slipping into the 12-team bracket are now slim to none.

If South Carolina sits just outside the field when CFP selections come out on Sunday (December 8th, 11 AM CST on ESPN), the Gamecocks will likely head to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl. There, they would likely face the Illinois Football, setting up an intriguing matchup against former wide receivers coach Justin Stepp, who now coaches for the Illini.

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