Illinois bowl game projections: Updated predictions highlighted by Citrus Bowl game

The Illinois Fighting Illini football team heads to the bowl season parked No. 21 in all three major polls: the US LBM coaches poll, The Associated Press poll and the College Football Playoff rankings.

Now, where will the Illini play this college football postseason?

Coach Bret Bielema and the Illini will find out their postseason details this weekend. With the CFP now released, here is what experts now are saying about the Illini landing place in bowl season.

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Will Illinois make a bowl game?

Yes. The No. 21-ranked Illini have won nine games and secured a bowl bid for the second time in three seasons under Bielema, who is now 27-22 in four seasons in Champaign.

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Every expert has the Illini playing in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve against a member of the SEC.

It seems as if Alabama does not make the CFP, the Crimson Tide will be the Illini opponent. If Bama gets one of the last at-large slots, South Carolina or Ole Miss will be the likely Illinois opponent.

Here is a full list of the experts choices, some of which have not been updated since the latest CFP rankings.

Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. Ole Miss, Dec. 31, in Orlando, Fla. (College Football News)

Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. South Carolina, Dec. 31, in Orlando, Fla. (247 Sports)

Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. Alabama, Dec. 31, in Orlando, Fla. (Bleacher Report)

Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. South Carolina, Dec. 31, in Orlando, Fla. (Sports Illustrated)

Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. South Carolina, Dec. 31, in Orlando, Fla. (Action Network’s Brett McMurphy)

Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. South Carolina, Dec. 31, in Orlando, Fla. (New York Times)

Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. South Carolina, Dec. 31, in Orlando, Fla. (USA Today)

Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/illinois-bowl-game-projections-updated-091216115.html

Author : Journal Star

Publish date : 2024-12-05 09:12:00

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