The South Carolina Gamecocks head into halftime down 7-3 against No. 15 Illinois in a tightly contested battle. While the Gamecocks haven’t struggled to move the ball, they’ve had trouble capitalizing on key opportunities. A prime example came early in the game when they recovered a fumble near the goal line but failed to convert, ultimately punting on the drive. Despite the missed chances, the Gamecocks remain very much in this game.

Team Stats at Halftime:

Gamecocks Player Spotlight:

Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been steady, completing 13 of 19 passes for 88 yards (4.6 yards per attempt). While he hasn’t thrown for any touchdowns or interceptions, Sellers has also contributed 19 rushing yards. To pull off the upset, South Carolina will need Sellers to elevate his game in the second half and take control of the offense.

The Gamecocks are within striking distance and will look to clean up their execution to flip the script in the final two quarters. This game is far from over.

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Voters for the AP Top 25 poll have spoken, and although the rankings remain the gold standard for most fans in determining the who’s who of college basketball in-season, their merit is dubious – and their ultimate significance unimportant.

So as heartening as it might have been for Illinois fans to see the Illini (9-3, 1-1 Big Ten) move up a few spots in the AP poll this week – to No. 22 – and as annoyed as others might have been to see roughly a half-dozen clubs ranked over the Illini despite less-convincing résumés, the point is moot.

And that’s because the NCAA’s NET rankings are where it’s at.

Viewed through that more scientific, data-influenced lens, the Illini are considered degrees of magnitude better – at least through the first two months and 12 games of the season. Updated through Monday’s games, the NET has Illinois ranked No. 9 in the country – one spot above No. 10 Oregon as the Illini prepare to take on the Ducks in Eugene in their toughest road game to date.

Illinois moved up four spots into the top 10 of the NET rankings, which are calculated daily, and is currently viewed by the formula as the strongest team in the Big Ten. The formula currently considers the Illini to be the strongest team in the conference.

And although the NET rankings finds higher quality at the top of other leagues, they recognize the Big Ten’s depth, with a total of seven teams in the top 25 as of Monday – also including No. 13 Maryland, No. 14 UCLA, No. 16 Michigan, No. 23 Ohio State and No. 25 Michigan State.

That bodes well for the Illini’s chances to continue to grow and build a profile through the conference season that can’t be ignored by the NCAA Tournament selection committee (which uses NET as its proprietary and primary tool).

It starts at Oregon (Thursday at 9 p.m. CT, on FS1) but, in theory, won’t end until March 16 – the day of the Big Ten Championship game and NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday.

Illinois Basketball Climbs in AP Top 25 Entering Big Game at Oregon

3 Key Numbers From Illinois Basketball’s Win Over Chicago State

Illinois Basketball Toys With Chicago State in Showcase Win

The Illinois Fighting Illini wrap up one of their best seasons in a generation today against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Coach Bret Bielema and the No. 21 Illini (9-3) are looking for the program’s first 10-win season since 2001. No. 14 South Carolina (9-3) is seeking its only 10-win season outside the three straight 11-win seasons under Steve Spurrier from 2011-13.

Watch Illinois football vs South Carolina on Fubo (free trial available)

Here’s everything you need to know about Illinois’ game against South Carolina on Tuesday, including how to watch the Citrus Bowl and more:

How to watch Citrus Bowl today with Illinois vs South Carolina

Illinois will play South Carolina at 2 a.m. CT in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game will air on ABC and stream on Fubo (free trial available). Mark Jones (play-by-play) and Roddy Jones (analyst) will call the game from the booth at Camping World Stadium, with Quint Kessenich reporting from the sidelines.

Illinois vs South Carolina predictions, picks, odds

South Carolina 24, Illinois 23:Illinois will miss all-Big Ten WR Pat Bryant, who decided to opt out and focus on the NFL Draft. Bowl games often come down to who decides to show up — and I fully trust the Illini will play hard for Bret Bielema. This game will be closer than the point spread dictates.

Who will win and why: Illinois vs South Carolina Citrus Bowl predictions

Odds courtesy of BetMGM, as of Dec. 29, 2024.

Who plays in the Citrus Bowl?

Tuesday’s Citrus Bowl features No. 14 South Carolina playing No. 21 Illinois. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. CT from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

What time is the Citrus Bowl?

The game kicks off at 2 p.m. CT

Who will win the Citrus Bowl?

South Carolina is a 10-point favorite over Illinois in college football odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. The Gamecocks are -400 on the money line, while the Fighting Illini are +310. The over/under is 49.5 points.

Illinois football schedule 2024

• Thursday, Aug. 29: Illinois 45, Eastern Illinois 0
• Saturday, Sept. 7:  Illinois 23, Kansas 17
• Saturday, Sept. 14: Illinois 30, Central Michigan 9
• Friday, Sept. 20: Illinois 31, Nebraska 24 (OT)
• Saturday, Sept. 28: Penn State 21, Illinois 7
• Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 12:  Illinois 50, Purdue 49 (OT)
• Saturday, Oct. 19: Illinois 21, Michigan 7
• Saturday, Oct. 26: Oregon 38, Illinois 9
• Saturday, Nov. 2: Minnesota 25, Illinois 17
• Saturday, Nov. 9: BYE
• Saturday, Nov. 16: Illinois 38, Michigan State 16
• Saturday, Nov. 23: Illinois 38, Rutgers 31
• Saturday, Nov. 30: Illinois 38, Northwestern 28
• Tuesday, Dec. 31: vs South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl | 2 p.m. ABC (Fubo free trial)

South Carolina football schedule 2024

• Saturday, Aug. 31: South Carolina 23, Old Dominion 19
• Saturday, Sept. 7: South Carolina 31, Kentucky 6
• Saturday, Sept. 14: LSU 31, South Carolina 6
• Saturday, Sept. 21: South Carolina 50, Akron 7
• Saturday, Sept. 28: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 5: Ole Miss 27, South Carolina 3
• Saturday, Oct. 12: Alabama 27, South Carolina 25
• Saturday, Oct. 19: South Carolina 35, Oklahoma 9
• Saturday, Oct. 26: BYE
• Saturday, Nov. 2: South Carolina 44, Texas A&M 20
• Saturday, Nov. 9: South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 7
• Saturday, Nov. 16: South Carolina 34, Missouri 30
• Saturday, Nov. 23: South Carolina 56, Wofford 12
• Saturday, Nov. 30: South Carolina 17, Clemson 14
• Tuesday, Dec. 31: vs Illinois in the Citrus Bowl | 2 p.m. ABC (Fubo free trial)

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