Illinois Football: Are the Illini Citrus Bowl Bound?

Illinois Football Will Seemingly Spend The New Year in Orlando

Illinois Football capped off a  9-3 season on Saturday afternoon with a big win over rival Northwestern at Wrigley Field. In just his 4th year as head coach in Champaign, the Fighting Illini have now earned two 8+ win seasons under coach Bret Bielema (2022, 2024). Furthermore, 2024 marks the first 9+ win campaign for the Illini program in 17 seasons (2007 Rose Bowl Team).

Prediction

Notes On The Gamecocks

Head Coach: Shane Beamer

Current Record: 9-3 (5-3 in SEC)

SEC Rankings: Currently 5th 

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 coach Frank Beamer, has South Carolina on the bubble of a 12-team College Football Playoff berth in his fourth season in Columbus. The Gamecocks is arguably one of the hottest teams in the nation, riding a six-game winning streak with victories over Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Wofford, and Clemson.

However, their playoff hopes are seemingly slipping due to three tough losses against No. 16 LSU, No. 12 Ole Miss, and No. 7 Alabama. Many outlets expect South Carolina to sit just outside the CFP rankings when ESPN releases them on Tuesday (12/3) at 6 PM CT.

If the committee confirms it, South Carolina could head to Orlando to face Illinois Football.

Nov 30, 2024; Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images

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