The South Carolina Gamecocks will face the Illinois Fighting Illini in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, scheduled for December 31 at 3 p.m. ET at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game will air on ABC. Both teams enter with identical 9-3 records, but South Carolina is favored by 11.5 points in the College Football Vegas odds, with the over/under set at 47.5. While Illinois is listed as the home team, the matchup will take place at a neutral site.
Let’s take a look at the odds from the best College Football betting sites.
| 2024 Citrus Bowl |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Gamecocks | -549 | -549 | -549 |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | +340 | +340 | +340 |
| South Carolina Gamecocks -11.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Illinois Fighting Illinis +11.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Over 47.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 47.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
Odds are subject to change.
No. 15 South Carolina (9-3, 5-3 SEC) is set to make its fourth appearance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, and its first since a 34-24 victory over Wisconsin to cap the 2013-14 season. The Gamecocks also played in the 2012 Citrus Bowl, where they defeated Nebraska 30-13, and the 1975 game, which saw them fall to Miami (Ohio) 20-7.
In their regular season finale on Nov. 30, South Carolina pulled off a 17-14 win over ACC champion Clemson. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers threw for 164 yards, completing 13 of 21 attempts with one interception.
While the Gamecocks have a relatively short list of players opting out for the bowl, this remains a fluid situation for both teams.
Illinois, led by head coach Bret Bielema, also enters the Citrus Bowl with a 9-3 overall record, finishing 6-3 in Big Ten play. The Illini have secured notable victories over teams like Kansas, Michigan, Purdue, and Michigan State, but suffered losses to Penn State, Oregon, and Minnesota.
Illinois averaged 28.9 points per game in the regular season, ranking sixth in the Big Ten. The Illini accumulated 365.5 total yards per game, including 214.3 passing yards (12th) and 151.2 rushing yards (9th). Quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while adding 219 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Running back Aidan Laughery led the team in rushing with 522 yards and four touchdowns, while Josh McCray contributed 495 yards and eight touchdowns. Wide receiver Pat Bryant, who had 54 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns, has opted out of the bowl game. Zakhari Franklin finished second on the team with 613 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, Illinois allowed 22.1 points per game, with opponents averaging 372.4 yards per game, including 221.8 passing and 150.6 rushing yards.
South Carolina was 15th in the final playoff rankings. Illinois was 20th. They are 14th and 21st, respectively, in the AP Top 25. South Carolina enters the Citrus Bowl as one of the nation’s hottest teams, riding a six-game winning streak and making a strong case for a spot in the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff. With a victory, the Gamecocks can secure their fifth 10-win season in school history. It would mark their first such achievement since three consecutive 11-win seasons from 2011-13. They are the stronger team and I expect them to win and cover the spread.
Feel free to read our MyBookie sportsbook review for much more information about this site.
Below is our list of some of the best options for your 2024 Citrus Bowl bets.
