The South Carolina Gamecocks and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet for the Citrus Bowl on December 31, 2024.
The Fighting Illini are expected to lose by at least a touchdown (currently +9) against the Gamecocks (with an over/under of 49.5 points).
Read on for our betting primer for this this contest between the Gamecocks and the Fighting Illini, and find all of our predictions here, too!
To Cover the Spread
Bet $20, Payout $38.52
South Carolina -9 vs. Illinois
South Carolina vs. Illinois betting lines
- Spread favorite: Gamecocks (-9)
- Moneyline: Gamecocks (-344), Fighting Illini (+271)
- Total: 49.5 points
- TV Channel: ABC
- Live Stream: Fubo
South Carolina vs. Illinois betting info and stats
- South Carolina has nine wins against the spread so far this season (9-3-0). South Carolina has covered the spread two times this season when favored by at least 9 points. In five games as a moneyline favorite, South Carolina is 5-0. Illinois has a 7-3-1 record against the spread this season. When Illinois is the underdog by 9 or more points, it has covered the spread twice (2-1 ATS). In the seven games this year, Illinois has been moneyline underdogs, it is 4-3.
South Carolina vs. Illinois recent stats and trends
South Carolina Gamecocks
- South Carolina is 2-1 against the spread and 3-0 overall during its last three games.
- South Carolina and its opponents have combined to hit the over twice in those games.
- The last three South Carolina games averaged 47.0 total points, 2.5 fewer points than this matchup’s point total.
Illinois Fighting Illini
- Illinois has covered the spread in each of its past three contests while putting up a 3-0 record straight-up in those games.
- In each of those games, the final combined score has surpassed the set total.
- Illinois’ last three games have ended with an average of 46.7 points scored. That’s 2.8 fewer points than this contest’s over/under.
South Carolina vs. Illinois key players
South Carolina Gamecocks
- LaNorris Sellers leads South Carolina with 2,274 yards (189.5 ypg) on 172-of-265 passing with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He also has 655 rushing yards on 155 carries while scoring seven touchdowns on the ground.
- The team’s top rusher, Raheim Sanders, has carried the ball 183 times for 881 yards (73.4 per game) and 11 touchdowns. He’s proven to be a dual threat, hauling in 316 receiving yards on 27 catches with two touchdowns through the air.
- Joshua Simon’s team-leading 450 yards as a receiver have come on 34 catches (out of 51 targets) with six touchdowns.
- Mazeo Bennett has hauled in 28 receptions totaling 324 yards, finding the end zone three times as a receiver so far this campaign.
- Kyle Kennard has 11.5 sacks to lead the team, and also has 11.0 TFL and 26 tackles.
- Nick Emmanwori is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s totaled 76 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and four interceptions.
- Jalon Kilgore leads the team with four interceptions, while also recording 43 tackles, 3.0 TFL, and four passes defended.
Illinois Fighting Illini
- Luke Altmyer has 2,543 passing yards, or 211.9 per game, so far this season. He has completed 60.9% of his passes and has collected 21 touchdowns with five interceptions. He’s also chipped in on the ground with 18.3 rushing yards per game while scoring as a runner four times.
- Aidan Laughery is his team’s leading rusher with 81 carries for 522 yards, or 43.5 per game. He’s found the end zone four times on the ground, as well.
- Josh McCray has piled up 495 yards (on 104 carries) with eight touchdowns.
- Pat Bryant has collected 54 receptions this season and his team-high yardage total sits at 984 (82.0 yards per game). He’s been targeted 83 times and has 10 touchdowns.
- Zakhari Franklin has caught 51 passes and compiled 613 receiving yards (51.1 per game) with three touchdowns.
- Collin Dixon has racked up 237 reciving yards (19.8 ypg) this season.
- Gabe Jacas has 8.0 sacks to pace the team, and also has 7.0 TFL and 54 tackles.
- Matthew Bailey is the team’s top-tackler this year. He’s amassed 69 tackles and one interception.
- Xavier Scott leads the team with four interceptions, while also recording 33 tackles, 1.0 TFL, one sack, and four passes defended.
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