Two days before South Carolina's Citrus Bowl appearance, two thoughts on Illinois

South Carolina football fans have just two more days to wait before watching their favorite team for the final time in 2024. The Gamecocks and Illinois Fighting Illini will do battle on Tuesday in the Citrus Bowl with both programs looking for a 10th win for just the 5th time in their respective histories.

South Carolina is a 10.5-point favorite in the ranked matchup, and most around college football are optimistic about USC’s chances. However, Illinois is a quality team, so the Gamecocks will need to play well to emerge victorious.

With just two days before the matchup, here are two game-week thoughts on Illinois.

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The Bret Bielema philosophy could be a factor

For those who follow college football on a national level, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is famous for one major thing on the football field: he is committed to trying to run the ball. At previous stops at Wisconsin and Arkansas, Bielema utilized a hard-nosed ground attack. He’s brought that over to Illinois with enough success to change the Illini’s national perception.

Sure, the veteran coach has adapted. Illinois runs more tempo than Bielema’s Arkansas or Wisconsin teams ever did. RPOs have joined the zone read wrinkles. He also has incorporated more passing ideas into his scheme and lets his offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, Jr. handle his job.

However, at its core, Illinois is still a Brett Bielema offense.

Part of Bielema’s MO is to find a running play that works and keep going back to it. He especially likes to do this if his team is running inside or outside zone well. Illinois also will utilize some gap scheme runs, too, especially power and duo looks. If Bielema and Lunney find some success on the ground, look for Illinois to go back to the well until the Gamecocks can stop it.

One of the potential “weaknesses” for South Carolina’s defense has been its ability to stop perimeter runs. Outside zone, power, buck sweep, etc. have given the Gamecocks some trouble this year. To be fair, “trouble” just means that the USC defense wasn’t elite against those plays. LSU, Missouri, Alabama, and Kentucky all moved the ball at times against Clayton White’s defense by attacking the edge.

Illinois will run its three top backs (Aidan Laughery, Josh McCray, and Ca’Lil Valentine) and quarterback Luke Altmeyer. The Illini average 35 rushing attempts per game, and about half of their pass attempts come off of play-action or RPO looks.

If Clayton White and his defense aren’t ready for a battle, Illinois is good enough to make the Gamecocks pay.

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Luke Altmeyer is good

Illinois’ offense is built around the run, but like every offense, quarterback play is key.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmeyer is a good player. He’s not a world-beating athlete like LaNorris Sellers, and he isn’t a top NFL Draft prospect who can sling a football 70 yards downfield. However, he’s a tough competitor, a good decision-maker, and good enough with his arms and his legs to do damage.

Following two years at Ole Miss, Altmeyer took over the starting quarterback job at Illinois in 2023. He was inconsistent in his first year as a starter but has improved dramatically.

Altmeyer will be without his top weapon for the Citrus Bowl as Pat Bryant opted out in preparation for the NFL Draft. Still, though, the veteran signal-caller is good enough to have a good game without Bryant.

This season, Altmeyer threw for over 2500 yards on 61% efficiency. He also managed 25 total touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions. His effort this fall was good enough for some All-BIG Ten recognition.

To throw Altmeyer off his rhythm, South Carolina’s defense will need to pressure him while also containing the quarterback scramble game.

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Tuesday’s kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ABC will broadcast the Citrus Bowl, and ESPN+ will make it available for streaming.

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