Citrus Bowl Preview: No. 14 South Carolina vs. No. 21 Illinois

The Citrus Bowl is set for December 31 at 3 p.m. EST featuring a showdown between the No. 14 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks and the No. 21 ranked Illinois Fighting Illini. The Gamecocks enter the game with a record of 9-3, and they are favored by 11.5 points according to BetMGM College Football Odds.

A key area to watch in this matchup is the battle of rushing offenses. The Gamecocks boast a strong rushing attack, ranking 34th in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with an average of 188.9 yards per game. In contrast, the Fighting Illini’s run defense sits at 72nd, allowing 150.6 yards per game. Illinois, however, struggles with offensive consistency, averaging just 365.5 yards per game to rank 91st in the FBS, while facing a formidable South Carolina defense that ranks 15th by yielding only 313.3 yards per game.

In their last outing, South Carolina edged out rival Clemson with a close score of 17-14. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers had a solid performance, completing 13 of 21 passes for 164 yards while also showcasing his dual-threat ability with 166 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Raheim Sanders contributed significantly with 60 rushing yards and had three catches for 48 yards, while Nyck Harbor added to the offensive production with 51 yards receiving on three receptions.

Illinois, on the other hand, secured a 38-28 win over Northwestern in their most recent game. Luke Altmyer had a mixed performance with 170 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He also managed to score a rushing touchdown despite negative rushing yardage. Aidan Laughery was a standout performer in this matchup, rushing for 172 yards and scoring three touchdowns, while Pat Bryant recorded 70 yards on four receptions, including one touchdown.

Players to Watch

For South Carolina, LaNorris Sellers has accumulated 2,274 passing yards, averaging 189.5 yards per game with a completion rate of 64.9%. He has thrown 17 touchdowns but has also been intercepted seven times. On the ground, he has amassed 655 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Raheim Sanders has been another crucial asset with a total of 881 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns this season, while also contributing 27 receptions for 316 yards. Joshua Simon is another player to monitor, with 450 receiving yards on 34 catches, adding a significant threat with six touchdowns.

Illinois will look to Luke Altmyer to continue his strong play, as he has accumulated 2,543 passing yards this season with 21 touchdowns against only five interceptions. He has also shown his ability to run with 219 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Aidan Laughery deserves attention as well, with 522 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Pat Bryant leads the team in receiving with 54 catches for 984 yards and ten touchdowns, ranking him among the top in the collegiate ranks.

Additional Insights

Statistically, South Carolina has performed well this season, outscoring their opponents by an average of 13.8 points per game. Illinois, while less dominant, has still managed to outscore their foes by 6.8 points on average. On the offensive end, South Carolina has been less prolific passing the ball, averaging 220.3 yards per game (ranking 74th overall), and defensively they allow 206.9 passing yards, which ranks 46th. Meanwhile, Illinois has showcased solid turnover management, forcing 19 turnovers while giving up only 12, resulting in a turnover margin that places them 26th in the FBS at plus 7.

As these two teams prepare for their bowl game, fans can expect an exciting clash as they compete for a memorable Citrus Bowl victory.