If you had told South Carolina fans back when the team was 3-3 that they would have a shot at making it into the College Football Playoff or playing in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, they probably would have never believed you. Well, Gamecocks fans believe it because South Carolina was snubbed and ended up in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl as they will take on No. 20 Illinois.
This will be the first time South Carolina and Illinois will face off and it comes in a big ranked matchup as both programs look for their 10th win of the season. South Carolina is hoping to accomplish this feat for just the fifth time in program history.
South Carolina will be without two of their biggest playmakers as EGDE rusher Kyle Kennard and running back ,Raheim Sanders both opted out of the bowl game by declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.
How to watch No. 20 Illinois vs. No. 15 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
- Date: Tuesday, December 31st
- Time: 3:00 p.m. EST
- Venue: Camping World Stadium
- How to watch (TV): ABC
- Streaming: FuboTV
- Illinois record: 9-3
- South Carolina record: 9-3
No. 20 Illinois vs. No. 15 South Carolina odds, spread, and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds
- Illinois: +10.5 (-105)
- South Carolina: -10.5 (-115)
Moneyline
- Illinois: +285
- South Carolina: -365
Total
- O/U 49.5 (-110/-110)
South Carolina injuries
- N/A
Illinois injuries
- N/A
Weather in Orlando, FL
South Carolina will play in some familiar weather during the Citrus Bowl, with the high being 79 degrees and the low being 59 degrees and high humidity. The weather in Orlando, other than the heat, will be partly cloudy with a low percent chance of rain. Illinois could struggle with the warmer weather and especially the humidity that they don't get a lot of up North.
South Carolina and Illinois series history
South Carolina and Illinois have never met, so this will be their first meeting, bringing a little something extra to this game.