Staff Picks: South Carolina vs. Illinois in Citrus Bowl, plus CFP and other bowl matchups

After a month with no game action, South Carolina is finally back for what will be its last game in 2024. The No. 15 Gamecocks will face No. 20 Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Tuesday.

On the eve of the big game in Orlando, the GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game staffs shared their picks for this matchup as well as other games going on around the country this week.

George Bagwell: LaNorris Sellers and the Gamecocks’ offense is simply too good for an Illinois defense that gave up 49 points to Purdue. Shane Beamer’s squad isn’t dealing with many opt-outs or transfers, and although the Illini are close to full strength as well, the Gamecocks are the more talented team when healthy. South Carolina 31, Illinois 14.

Peyton Butt: I don’t see many possibilities for South Carolina to lose this game after the November they had and the strength of Sellers. Luke Altmyer is going to have a tough challenge hitting receivers with South Carolina’s defense as well. South Carolina 34, Illinois 13.

Elijah Campbell: Not many defenses in college football can lose one of the best edge rushers in the sport for the bowl game and still not miss a beat but here we are. I think this Carolina team will still win both lines of scrimmage and I’m just not quite sure how Illinois is gonna manufacture points in this one. South Carolina 34, Illinois 14.

Chris Clark: South Carolina 30, Illinois 20.

Terry Ford: Sellers is the key. He’ll make the big plays when needed just like vs Clemson and the Gamecocks defense will make a big stop to seal the deal. South Carolina 27, Illinois 20.

Griffin Goodwyn: Both South Carolina and Illinois, like most teams during Bowl Season, head into Tuesday’s Citrus Bowl missing key playmakers due to opt-outs. The Gamecocks will be without consensus All-American Kyle Kennard and Comeback Player of the Year Rocket Sanders, while the Fighting Illini will be missing the services of leading wideout Pat Bryant. Despite this, South Carolina still possesses two of the most impactful players in this contest — LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart — who will help the team clinch a 10-win season for the first time since 2013. South Carolina 31, Illinois 20.

Tyler Head: I think SC’s defense will be too much for Illinois to handle. Sellers should also have the opportunity to show his magic against an average defense. South Carolina 38, Illinois 20.

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Wes Mitchell: These are two good teams, each motivated to finish its season on a high note with 10 wins. Even though the line is double digits, I expect a competitive football game that will come down to the fourth quarter, though bowl games are inherently unpredictable. As good as quarterback Luke Atlmyer has been for Illinois, I can’t go against LaNorris Sellers in what could be a tight game. South Carolina 27, Illinois 20.

Jay Philips: With the rosters basically set after the regular season, the Gamecocks remain heavy favorites against Illinois. The Illini run the ball well, but have also allowed 30 sacks. That should benefit Carolina as they go for a tenth win for only the fifth time in program history. In a low scoring game give me South Carolina 20, Illinois 13.

Kendall Smith: South Carolina went into bowl season as one of the best teams in CFB. I think they have a point to prove in the Citrus Bowl and I expect the team will play with a chip on its shoulder. I’m taking the Gamecocks over Illinois. South Carolina 31, Illinois 14. 

Mike Uva: After not playing in a game in over a month, to go along with a new OC, I’m eager to see how the office response to start the game. Look for Oscar Adaway III to make the most out of his opportunities, along with LaNorris Sellers putting a bow on his first season as a starter in a big way. South Carolina 34, Illinois, 16.

Jack Veltri: South Carolina might not have two of its better players in Kyle Kennard and Rocket Sanders for this game. But I do think with the rest of the team playing, that gives the Gamecocks a big advantage. Yes, the vibes have been great all week here in Orlando and the team has been having a lot of fun. But we’ve heard all month about how much a 10th win would mean to this program. I see South Carolina taking care of business and making a big statement. South Carolina 35, Illinois 20.

Chris Wellbaum: Picking against South Carolina all season usually meant the gamecocks would win. You can’t argue with my logic given how unpredictable bowl games are. Illinois 22, South Carolina 20.

Kevin Miller: South Carolina is a better team than Illinois, plain and simple. Sure, bowl games aren’t always as cut-and-dry as that, but it sure helps the Gamecocks’ chances in this one that their roster is better. Look for LaNorris Sellers to have a big day against an average defense that doesn’t have as many elite athletes as would be needed to stop him. Ironically, both teams are motivated to earn their fifth-ever 10-win season, but the Gamecocks should keep the Illini winless all-time against SEC competition on Tuesday. South Carolina 31, Illinois 17.

	Alabama vs. Michigan (ReliaQuest Bowl)	Louisville vs. Washington (Sun Bowl)	Baylor vs. LSU (Texas Bowl)	Penn State vs. Boise State (Fiesta Bowl)	Texas vs. Arizona State (Peach Bowl)	Ohio State vs. Oregon (Rose Bowl)	Notre Dame vs. Georgia (Sugar Bowl)	Duke vs. Ole Miss (Gator Bowl)
George Bagwell (78-65)	Alabama	Louisville	Baylor	Penn State	Arizona State	Ohio State	Notre Dame	Duke
Peyton Butt (79-64)	Alabama	Louisville	LSU	Boise State	Texas	Oregon	Georgia	Ole Miss
Elijah Campbell (94-49)	Alabama	Louisville	LSU	Boise State	Texas	Oregon	Notre Dame	Ole Miss
Chris Clark (82-61)	Alabama	Louisville	LSU	Penn State	Texas	Oregon	Georgia	Ole Miss
Terry Ford (101-42)	Alabama	Louisville	LSU	Penn State	Texas	Ohio State	Georgia	Ole Miss
Griffin Goodwyn (100-43)	Alabama	Louisville	Baylor	Penn State	Texas	Oregon	Notre Dame	Ole Miss
Tyler Head (87-56)	Alabama	Louisville	LSU	Penn State	Texas	Oregon	Georgia	Ole Miss
Wes Mitchell (92-51)	Alabama	Louisville	Baylor	Penn State	Texas	Ohio State	Notre Dame	Ole Miss
Jay Philips (95-48)	Alabama	Louisville	LSU	Penn State	Texas	Ohio State	Georgia	Ole Miss
Kendall Smith (85-58)	Alabama	Washington	Baylor	Boise State	Texas	Ohio State	Georgia	Ole Miss
Mike Uva (94-49)	Alabama	Louisville	Baylor	Penn State	Texas	Oregon	Georgia	Ole Miss
Jack Veltri (99-44)	Alabama	Louisville	LSU	Penn State	Texas	Ohio State	Notre Dame	Ole Miss
Chris Wellbaum (80-63)	Alabama	Louisville	LSU	Boise State	Texas	Ohio State	Notre Dame	Ole Miss
Kevin Miller (71-27)	Alabama	Louisville	LSU	Penn State	Texas	Ohio State	Georgia	Ole Miss

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