South Carolina vs Illinois Prediction College Football Picks 12/31/24

In this article we will formulate a South Carolina vs Illinois prediction for this College Football game on Tuesday, December 31st at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for the Citrus Bowl. 

South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview

The South Carolina Gamecocks are 9-3 (5-3) this season after they defeated Clemson by a score of 17-14 in their last game. South Carolina trailed 14-7 in the fourth quarter, but they scored the last 10 points in the game for the win. The Gamecocks out gained Clemson by a total of 431-419, lost the turnover battle 3-2, and went 7-13 on third down in the game. LaNorris Sellers threw for 164 yards and one interception, while also rushing for 166 yards and two scores in the win. 

South Carolina also has wins over Wofford, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Akron, Kentucky, and Old Dominion, while losing against LSU, Ole Miss, and Alabama. The South Carolina offense has scored 31.6 points per game with 220.3 passing yards and 188.9 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 17.8 points against per game this season. LaNorris Sellers has completed 64.9% of his passes for 2,274 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while Joshua Simon has caught 34 passes for 450 yards and six scores this year. 

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 9-3 (6-3) this year after they defeated Northwestern by a score of 38-28 in their last game. Illinois led 14-10 at halftime and scored the first 14 points in the second half to pull away in the win. The Fighting Illini were out gained by a total of 442-382, won the turnover battle 4-2, and went 4-10 on third down in the game. Luke Altmyer threw for 170 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while Aidan Laughery rushed for 172 yards and three scores in the win. 

Illinois also has wins over Rutgers, Michigan State, Michigan, Purdue, Nebraska, CMU, Kansas, and Eastern Illinois, while picking up losses against Penn State, Oregon, and Minnesota. The Illinois offense has scored 28.9 points per game with 214.3 passing yards and 151.2 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 22.1 points against per game this season. Luke Altmyer has completed 60.9% of his passes for 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while Aidan Laughery has rushed for 522 yards and four scores this year. 

Why South Carolina will beat Illinois

• South Carolina has won each of its last six games.
• Illinois has lost each of its last six games played at neutral venues.
• South Carolina has covered the spread in four of its last five games against AP-ranked teams.
• Illinois has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games played at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Illinois’ last six games against top-15 AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Four of South Carolina’s last five games as a favorite at neutral venues have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Illinois ranks T30th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (45.5).
• Illinois ranks 31st among FBS teams for 3rd down conversion percentage this season (43.8).
• South Carolina ranks 10th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (4.3).
• South Carolina ranks T10th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (7.9).

South Carolina vs Illinois Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this matchup with 9-3 records on the season, but South Carolina finished the season as one of the hottest teams in the nation. The Gamecocks have won six games in a row, including wins over Clemson, Missouri, and Texas A&M. South Carolina’s offense isn’t elite, but their defense is very good. Illinois has won three games in a row, but they did just allow 28 points to Northwestern and 31 to Rutgers. The Fighting Illini had a very good season in the Big Ten, but I don’t think they matchup very well here. Take the Gamecocks to win by 10+.