Bowl season has been in full motion the past few weeks and, finally, it is the Illinois football programs time to shine.
The Illini finished the regular season 9-3 overall and ranked No. 20 in the AP Top 25. This was the best season for the program since 2007, and the credit can be both put on a competent offense and a solid defense.
Illinois’ defense will have a challenge on their hands on Tuesday, though. South Carolina is going to put a talented and experienced offensive on the field.
Unlike most bowl games, both the Illini and Gamecocks haven’t had massive opt-outs of the bowl game. That means we get to see two quality teams. That also means South Carolina’s offense scares me a bit.
South Carolina will be attacking the Illinois football defense both through the air and on the ground
- Strength: Dual-threat quarterback
Illinois won’t be able to sellout on a blitz due to LaNorris Sellers being so dangerous behind center. Sellers threw for 2,274 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions this season. He also had 655 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Sellers was able to beat Clemson, Missouri, Texas A&M, and barely fell to Alabama on the road. This kid is the real deal.
- Strength: Pass catchers are back
Sellers is going to be a problem for the Illinois defense without a doubt. The fact he has a ton of weapons back is also huge for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina has their top six wide receivers suiting up for the bowl game. In addition to the main wideouts playing, top tight end Josh Simon will also be in action. He had 34 receptions for 450 yards and six touchdowns, all of which were team highs.
- Weakness: Turnover problems
The Gamecocks have the talent to give the Illini some issues, but the Illinois defense could also have a few game-changing plays as well.
South Carolina has a tendency to turn the ball over. They averaged 1.6 turnovers per game in 2024, which ranked No. 86 in the country. Sellers was the biggest culprit of the turnovers. Along with his seven interceptions, he also had 15 fumbles, six of which he lost this season. So, he has accounted for 13 turnovers for the program.
- Weakness: Top running back missing
While Sellers is a good quarterback who can run the football, South Carolina also leaned on Raheim Sanders a lot this season. He finished with 881 yards and 11 touchdowns, both of which led the program.
Sanders was also the most effective running back on the team. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry, and the two running backs on the bowl game depth chart, Juju McDowell and Oscar Adaway III, averaged 4.1 and 3.6 yards per carry, respectively.