ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) also predicts the outcome of each college football game ahead of each week. The regular season is in the past, so the model has now been updated for bowl season.
The South Carolina Gamecocks are taking on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Citrus Bowl. FPI sees the Gamecocks as likely to come away with a win, giving the team a 72.5% chance to claim victory. This means the Illini are getting just a 27.5% chance. This will be the first-ever meeting between these schools.
In the regular season, the Gamecocks impressed and ended with a 9-3 record. The Illini, meanwhile, also exceeded expectations and finished with a 9-3 mark. The Gamecocks notched big wins over Texas A&M, Missouri, and Clemson, while the Illini’s best wins came against Nebraska and Michigan.
The Illini have played in the Citrus Bowl 1 other time in history. That appearance came in 1990 when the team defeated Virginia. The Gamecocks have played in variations of the game 3 other times, most recently in 2014 against Wisconsin. Overall, the Gamecocks are 2-1 in the game, losing in 1975 to Miami-Ohio.
The Gamecocks could be motivated to perform in this game as the team had a case for a Playoff spot. Ultimately, the Gamecocks were ranked behind Alabama, Ole Miss, and Miami. South Carolina had losses to Alabama and Ole Miss, and the committee favored the other teams’ resumes.
This game will kick off from Camping World Stadium in Orlando on New Year’s Eve.
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