The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl is serving up a New Year’s treat as the No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks (9-3) square off against the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini (9-3) at Camping World Stadium in sunny Orlando. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
LaNorris Sellers #16 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs the ball against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Clemson, South Carolina.
LaNorris Sellers #16 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs the ball against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Clemson, South Carolina.
Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images
How to Watch #15 South Carolina vs #20 Illinois in the Citrus Bowl:
The Gamecocks closed their regular season on fire, rattling off six straight wins, including a gritty 17-14 road victory over No. 13 Clemson in their finale.
South Carolina’s late-season surge wasn’t just about winning, it was about dominating when it mattered. The Gamecocks flirted with a College Football Playoff berth, narrowly missing out, but their consistent performance has made them a dangerous team to face in bowl season.
The Fighting Illini wrapped up their regular season with a 38-28 victory over Northwestern, extending their streak of 38-point performances to three games.
While Illinois struggled against top-tier competition—falling to No. 1 Oregon by 29 points and to No. 5 Penn State by 14—they’ve shown resilience and the ability to put up points against less daunting opponents.
Tune into the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Tuesday as we get a full day of college football action on New Year’s Eve.
