The Wildcats will likely start redshirt freshman QB Cutter Boley, who played a bit last season. In any case, South Carolina might beat them worse in 2025 than it did in 2024 (by 25 points). It seems likely at this point that South Carolina will head to LSU at 5-0, looking for its first victory over LSU (and first win in Death Valley) since 1994.

The 2024-25 college football postseason continues on Tuesday, Dec. 31 with a Big Ten - SEC clash between South Carolina and Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. This game takes place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. This is the first all-time meeting between the Gamecocks and Fighting Illini on the gridiron.

Considering the Big Ten finish expected of Illinois in the preseason (No. 14 out of 18 teams), a 10-win season culminating in a Citrus Bowl win would seem to make a final-game report card sort of superfluous.

Illinois had a historic 2024 college football season, winning 10 games including the Citrus Bowl. Every story about coach Bret Bielema and the Illini.

Citrus Bowl came complete with a dramatic finish, sideline scuffles and even an altercation between the two head coaches.