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- What: 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
- Who: South Carolina vs. Illinois
- Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
- Location: Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Florida
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ABC
The 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl takes place on Tuesday, December 31, from Camping World Stadium in Orlando. FL. The annual NCAA bowl game features a matchup between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Illinois Fighting Illini. South Carolina is the No. 15 ranked team in the nation, while Illinois checks in at No. 20. The Gamecocks finished the 2024 NCAA football regular season as the No. 4 team in the SEC, while the Fighting Illini were the No. 5 team in the Big Ten. The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl was originally called the Tangerine Bowl when it was founded in 1947. It became the Florida Citrus Bowl in 1983. The Cheez-It brand began sponsoring the NCAA bowl game in 2023. Below is some background on South Carolina and Illinois before we discuss the betting breakdown of the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
South Carolina (9-3) had a 5-3 record in the SEC. The team’s losses came to LSU, Ole Miss, and Alabama in the first six games of the 2024 season. The Gamecocks wrapped up the year with six straight wins, finishing the regular season with a 17-14 win over Clemson.
Illinois (9-3) were 5-3 in the Big Ten. The club’s losses were to Penn State, Oregon, and Minnesota. The Fighting Illini were on a three-game winning streak when the season ended with victories over Michigan State, Rutgers, and Northwestern.
Before we look at the betting odds, picks, and predictions for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl between South Carolina and Illinois, check out our best NCAA football betting sites and where you can find the betting odds for the 2025 national championship.
2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl betting picks
| To Win Cheez-It Citrus Bowl |  |  |  |  |
| South Carolina | -400 | -430 | -400 | -549 |
| Illinois | +320 | +320 | +320 | +430 |
| Over 47.5 Points | -110 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 47.5 Points | -110 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: South Carolina betting breakdown
South Carolina finished the 2024 NCAA football regular season with the third-fewest offensive yards per game in the SEC with an average of 313.3. The team gained 206.9 yards from passing and 106.3 from rushing. As for the team’s defense, the Gamecocks surrendered an average of 313.3 yards per game, which was the third-fewest in the conference. The South Carolina defense gave up an average of 206.9 yards passing and 106.3 yards rushing. The Gamecocks offense averaged 31.6 points per game, while the defense gave up an average of 17.8 points per outing, which was the third-lowest total in the SEC.
South Carolina quarterback, freshman LaNorris Sellers, had a 64.9 completion percentage, throwing for 2,274 yards for 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Raheim Sanders was the team’s leading rusher. The senior picked up 881 yards on 183 carries with 11 touchdowns. Senior tight end Joshua Simon was the team leader in receiving, with 34 receptions for 450 yards. Simon contributed six touchdowns. Junior defensive back Nick Emmanwori led the team in tackles with 83. He also led the team with four interceptions.
South Carolina went 9-3 against the spread in 2024, and the team hit the over in seven of 12 games.
2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Illinois betting breakdown
The Illinois Fighting Illini wrapped up its 2024 campaign, averaging 365.5 yards of total offense per game. The team had 214.3 passing yards per outing and added 151.2 yards on the ground. Illinois’ defense gave up the fourth-most yards per game in the Big Ten with 372.4. The Fighting Illini gave up 221.8 yards via passing per game and 150.6 rushing yards. The Illinois offense averages 28.9 points per game, while the defense allowed an average of 22.1 points per contest.
Illinois quarterback, junior Luke Altmyer, threw for 2,543 yards on the season. He had a completion percentage of 60.9 percent, going 198 for 325 with 21 touchdowns. Altmyer threw five interceptions. The Fighting Illini’s top rusher was Aidan Laughery, who picked up 522 yards on 81 carries. The sophomore had four touchdowns. Senior Pat Bryant was the team leader in receiving with 984 yards on 54 catches. He had 10 touchdowns. On defense, sophomore defensive back Matthew Bailey had the most tackles with 81, and Xavier Scott was tops in interceptions with four.
Illinois was 7-4 against the spread during 2024. The Hurricanes hit the over five times in the regular season.
Best Bets: 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
The betting pick is for South Carolina to beat Illinois in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
The betting pick is for South Carolina and Illinois to combine for more than 47.5 points in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
See below the top offshore sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
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