No. 15 South Carolina will take on No. 20 Illinois in Tuesday’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC. With the Gamecocks laying nine points and the total sitting at 49.5, what’s the smart bet from Camping World Stadium this afternoon?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
South Carolina Gamecocks (-9) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (+9); o/u 49.5
3:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV: ABC
South Carolina vs. Illinois Citrus Bowl Public Betting: Bettors Laying Points
As of this writing, our CFB Public Betting page shows that 68% of bets are on South Carolina. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
SC’s top rusher declares for NFL Draft
Raheim Sanders has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders had an impressive season in 2024 as a featured back, and he’s decided to take the next step and go pro. Even though his numbers weren’t as good as the ones he posted in 2022 with Arkansas, Sanders finished the 2024 campaign with 183 carries for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Altmyer has two scores in regular season finale
Luke Altmyer was 10-for-17 passing for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during Saturday’s 38-28 win against Northwestern. He also had three rushes for -23 yards with one touchdown. Altmyer found the end zone on a one-yard plunge in the second quarter, but the junior’s true highlight of the day came on a 43-yard strike to receiver Pat Bryant in the third quarter, giving the Fighting Illini a three-score lead at the time.
Though the 6-foot-2 signal-caller threw a pair of interceptions, he did what he needed to do on a day in which the Illinois ground game dominated the Northwestern defensive front, totaling 215 team rushing yards on over 6 YPC. Altmyer finished the regular season with 2,543 yards and 21 touchdowns to five interceptions while adding 219 yards and four scores on the ground and will have one final opportunity to improve those numbers in the team’s upcoming bowl game.
South Carolina vs. Illinois Citrus Bowl Betting Trends
Gamecocks are 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
South Carolina is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Illinois is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
Illinois is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
South Carolina vs. Illinois Citrus Bowl Prediction
Take Illinois. LaNorris Sellers was one of the hotter names in college football over the final month of the season. To some degree, these were two of the more underrated non-playoff teams in college football this season.
However, I think Sellers and the Gamecocks are overvalued entering bowl season. This Fighting Illini team proved itself week after week, beating the number eight times in its 12 games (with one push). They were an underdog seven times this season and the Illini covered in five out of those seven games while winning outright on three occasions.
Illinois is a sound overall team. In backing the Illini, we’re getting nine points with a team that doesn’t give up the ball, isn’t penalized often and is sound on third downs. Will they have their hands full with Sellers? Absolutely, but they’ve proven time and time again this season that they’re up for a challenge.
South Carolina vs. Illinois Citrus Bowl Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini +9