The Illinois Fighting Illini football team concluded the regular season on Saturday, November 30th with a 38-28 win over Northwestern. The win propelled the Illini to finish the regular season 9-3 overall and 6-3 in the Big Ten Conference.

It’s the first nine-win season for Illinois football since 2007, when Ron Zook led Illinois to the Rose Bowl.

This year’s bowl game destination will be announced on Sunday, December 8th.

Here’s a look at predictions and predictions for where the Fighting Illini will play their final game of the 2024 college football season.

Tuesday’s bowl game projection and prediction from CBS’s Jerry Palm sends the Illinois Fighting Illini to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. He leaves Illinois ahead of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The 2024 Citrus Bowl is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, December 31st at 3:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. CT.

Athletic writers Scott Dochterman and Stewart Mandel gave their bowl game predictions and predictions on Tuesday, also sending the Illinois Fighting Illini to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

Based on The Athletic’s prediction, Illinois will also face the Alabama Crimson Tide.

ESPN writers Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach provided predictions and predictions for bowl game goals on Sunday. Both expect the Illinois Fighting Illini to play in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Bonagura expects the Fighting Illini to face Alabama. Schlabach expects Illinois to face the South Carolina Gamecocks.

USA Today’s Erick Smith expects a football game between Illinois and South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl on Tuesday, December 31st.

Illinois last participated in the Citrus Bowl following the 1989 season, and Illinois defeated Virginia 31-21 on January 1, 1990.

On Tuesday, Action Network’s Brett McMurphy also has the Illinois Fighting Illini football team at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando. He predicts the Illini will face the South Carolina Gamecocks.

And Action Network makes the SC Gamecocks an 8.5-point favorite against Illinois