NEWS: Illinois Football to Play South Carolina In The Citrus Bowl

Illinois Football vs the South Carolina Gamecocks in Orlando

After weeks of bowl game predictions and projections, the college football playoff committee has finally decided where Illinois Football will cap off its momentous 9-3 season under fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema.

The CFP playoff selection show announced that the Fighting Illini will head to Orlando to face the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. This is certainly a mild surprise for all Illini fans as many were expecting SEC powerhouse, Alabama, or even Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels. However, if the Illini can beat the Gamecocks, they will have their first 10-win season since 2001.

South Carolina & Illinois will play in the Citrus Bowl

(per @Brett_McMurphy) pic.twitter.com/opTMjHMb4B

— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) December 8, 2024

Notes On Gamecocks

Head Coach: Shane Beamer

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

SEC Ranking: 6th

Best Win: vs No. 12 Clemson

Worst Loss: None. All three Gamecock losses were to ranked opponents

Takeaways

The Illini will head to Orlando to finish off a rather historic season for them. They will end off the season at number 21 in the AP Poll and 20 in the final College Football Playoff Rankings. Though everyone will continue to wonder what could have been if they were able to take care of business vs Minnesota, Illinois has a lot to be proud of. They certainly will need some players to step up, however, as star wide receiver, Pat Bryant, will not be playing in this game. The Gamecocks are coming off a rather similar season as Illinois. They went under-the-radar and simply took care of business.

All three of their losses were to ranked opponents (at the time) in LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama.

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