Illinois Fighting Illini vs South Carolina Gamecocks Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024

Illinois Fighting Illini vs South Carolina Gamecocks December 31st 2024

South Carolina and Illinois are set to face off in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 ET on Tuesday, December 31st, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game will be aired on ABC, and despite Illinois being the designated home team, the game is being played on a neutral site. Both teams come in with a 9-3 record this season. The over/under line is currently 47.5 points, and South Carolina is the heavy favorite at -11.5 points.

South Carolina vs. Illinois Key Information

South Carolina enters Week 1 against Illinois with a 9-3 record. They’ve gone 4-2 at home and 4-1 on the road this season. The Gamecocks are unbeaten as favorites at 5-0 but have split their games as underdogs, going 3-3.

South Carolina’s ATS record stands at 8-3, with a perfect 5-0 mark on the road and a 3-3 record at home. They’ve covered the spread in five of six games as underdogs and have a +13.8 average scoring margin this season.

The over/under line for this week is 47.5 points. South Carolina’s games have averaged 49.4 points, and their over/under record is 6-5. Their average line has been 46 points, with an average margin of +1.8 points.

South Carolina’s offense is averaging 31.6 points per game, placing them 34th in the nation, and they are ranked 42nd in our offensive power rankings heading into week 11. They have focused on the run game, averaging 42.1 rushing attempts per game, which ranks 11th, and they are 34th in rushing yards, with 191.3 per game.

Raheim Sanders leads the rushing attack with 881 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 4 yards per carry. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has thrown for 2,274 yards with 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 102. South Carolina ranks 16th nationally in passer rating and 20th in completion percentage, completing 65.6% of their passes.

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South Carolina’s defense has been strong this season, ranking 11th nationally by giving up just 17.8 points per game. They’ve allowed 111.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 24th, and 206.9 passing yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 69.9 against South Carolina, the 13th-lowest in the country.

In their recent game against Clemson, South Carolina’s defense allowed just 14 points. Clemson rushed 32 times but managed only 64 yards, while the Gamecocks gave up 262 passing yards on 41 attempts.

• The South Carolina Gamecocks have posted a 3-0 record in their previous three games. The team has also been excellent vs the spread, going 2-1. Their over-under record in these games was 2-1.
• South Carolina has put together a record of 7-3 in their last ten games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 8-2 against the spread, while going 7-3 on the over-under.

Illinois enters Week 1 against South Carolina with a 9-3 record. They’ve gone 4-1 at home and 2-2 on the road this season. The Fighting Illini have been favored in three games, winning all three, and they hold a +6.8 average scoring margin.

Against the spread, Illinois is 6-3, with a 3-1 record on the road and 3-2 at home. They’ve covered in two of three games as the favorite and are 4-2 ATS as the underdog.

Their over/under record is 3-6, with an average line of 48.3 points. Illinois games have averaged 51 points, and this week’s line is set at 47.5 points.

Illinois enters week 1 ranked 34th in our offensive power rankings, averaging 28.9 points per game, which places them 46th nationally. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has thrown for 2,543 yards, completing 60.9% of his passes, and has 21 touchdowns with five interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 100.

Illinois ranks 29th in third-down conversions, converting 43.8% of their attempts, and is 30th in passer rating. They are 78th in passing attempts, averaging 214.3 yards per game. Aidan Laughery leads the rushing attack with 522 yards, while Pat Bryant has 978 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

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Illinois’ defense heads into this week ranked 28th nationally, allowing 22.1 points per game. They’ve given up 221.8 passing yards per game (96th) and 151.2 rushing yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 83 and a 59.6% completion rate against Illinois.

In their recent game against Northwestern, Illinois forced three interceptions but allowed 28 points and 442 total yards. Northwestern rushed for 113 yards on 29 carries, while Illinois’ secondary gave up 329 passing yards on 61 attempts.

South Carolina is the -11.5 point favorite in their week one matchup against Illinois. We have a projected final score of 27-20 in favor of the Gamecocks, but we like Illinois to cover the spread as the underdog.

With the over/under line set at 47.5 points, our projection of 47 total points aligns closely with the line, so we don’t see a lot of value in the over/under market.

No. 15 South Carolina, No. 20 Illinois Vie for 10th Win at Citrus Bowl

South Carolina and Illinois enter the Citrus Bowl with a shared objective: securing their 10th win of the season to cap off strong 2024 campaigns. Despite missing some key players, both teams are poised for a competitive clash on New Year’s Eve in Orlando, Fla.

South Carolina Seeks First 10-Win Season Since 2013

The No. 15 Gamecocks (9-3) bring a six-game winning streak into the matchup, highlighted by victories over three ranked opponents. A win would give South Carolina its first 10-win season since 2013, underscoring the program’s progress under head coach Shane Beamer.

Redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been a revelation, amassing 2,274 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 655 rushing yards with seven scores. Sellers has committed to return in 2025, signaling stability for the program’s future. Sellers will operate under new offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who was promoted after Dowell Loggains accepted the head coaching position at Appalachian State.

“I trust him,” Sellers said of Shula. “He’s coached a lot of guys, had a history with a lot of guys in the NFL.”

Defensively, South Carolina has been stout, allowing just 17.8 points per game. While they will miss star linebacker Kyle Kennard—the SEC sack leader and Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner—safety Nick Emmanwori remains a key playmaker. Emmanwori, a first-team All-American, recorded 83 tackles and returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

Illinois Eyes First 10-Win Campaign Since 2001

No. 20 Illinois (9-3) is riding a three-game winning streak as it looks to achieve its first 10-win season since its 2001 Big Ten championship run. Head coach Bret Bielema is optimistic about the future of his young roster, which is packed with juniors and sophomores.

Junior quarterback Luke Altmyer has emerged as the team’s leader, completing 60.9 percent of his passes for 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. Altmyer has publicly committed to returning in 2025, solidifying the team’s foundation for next season.

“In this crazy world that we’re in with the portal and the transfers, he’s the definition of what you’re looking for,” Bielema said of Altmyer.

Illinois will be without its top receiver, Pat Bryant, who opted out for the NFL Draft after a stellar season with 54 receptions, 984 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Zakhari Franklin (51 catches, 613 yards, three touchdowns) will step into the primary receiving role, while running backs Aidan Laughery (522 yards, four TDs) and Josh McCray (495 yards, eight TDs) anchor the ground game.

Key Challenges for Both Teams

South Carolina will also feel the absence of second-team All-SEC running back Raheim Sanders, who declared for the NFL Draft. Sanders’ departure puts additional pressure on Sellers to carry the offensive load against an Illinois defense that has struggled at times, giving up 59 points in its last two games.

The Illini defense has been vulnerable against elite opponents, notably allowing 35 first-half points against Oregon earlier this season. However, Illinois hopes its balanced rushing attack and opportunistic passing game can exploit South Carolina’s defense without Kennard.

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A Game for the Present and the Future

While both teams aim to end their seasons on a high note, the Citrus Bowl also sets the stage for the future. With key players like Sellers and Altmyer committed to returning, both programs are looking to use this game as a springboard into 2025.

For South Carolina, a win would solidify its resurgence under Beamer, while Illinois aims to build on its progress under Bielema.

The stage is set for a competitive battle as two programs look to close out 2024 with a statement victory and momentum for the seasons ahead.