Bowl Projections
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
7 games in and it's no longer a question of whether we're going to a bowl, it's how good of a game we will get. I love it.
ESPN.com bowl projection, both of which have the Illini in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl:
-Bonagura: vs. Texas A&M
-Schlabach: vs. LSU
-Bonagura: vs. Texas A&M
-Schlabach: vs. LSU
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
A great bowl name, as the real snack heads know that lemonade with Cheez-Its is one of the elite salty/sweet combos.
I’m still holding out hope of making the 12-team playoff. I harbor no realistic hopes of winning it all, but just making it there would be a huge step in the rebuilding process.
I was planning on being in Orlando over New Years, an Illini Citrus Bowl invite would be awesome.
It's an interesting dilemma. Is it better to be in the best bowl possible playing a team close to us in the rankings on New Years Eve with the build up and pomp of a bowl in a fun location for the fans, or the 11th or 12th team in the playoff playing an away game against the 5th or 6th best team on December 20th or 21st? It is most likely the latter, but a case could be made that ending the season in the 13-16 range isn't a bad place to be.
If we make it to the playoff, that'll likely mean that we've pulled a massive upset over Oregon. I'll take that over whatever alternative there is seven days a week and twice on Sunday.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
Of course you’d prefer to be 12th, with a chance to be a National Champion vs. some bowl for which half the players will opt out.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
The only down side to Citrus Bowl (for me) is that it is very close in time to the Winter Classic at Wrigley (which I am attending). Such good problems to be worried about 
Dan
Admin
Duke's Mayo Bowl (Jan. 3, Charlotte, NC)
Louisville vs Illinois
Louisville vs Illinois
krushalot2005
- Chicago, IL
Now that we are officially bowl bound, I'm looking to dive into the "Bowl Hierarchy" given the new CFP format since that appears to take the bowls I would typically associate with a very good (or even good) season such that the Rose, Fiesta, and Sugar Bowls. The remainder now being the Duke's Mayo, Citrus, Reliaquest, Music City, Pinstripe, etc. most of which would be close to falling into the "You Won 6 Games" games bucket, except for maybe the first couple listed. Just curious if there are any thoughts on what a recalibrated Bowl hierarchy would look like?
Of the non-playoff bowls with Big Ten tie ins in think it goes: Citrus (Cheez-it), ReliaQuest, Duke's Mayo, Music City, but not totally sure. One thing I read is that the former Pac12 teams retain ties to the old Pac12 bowls like the Alamo, Holiday and Las Vegas which is pretty strange.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
2024 College Football Bowl Predictions - NCAA Bowl Game Projections
CBS Sports bowl expert Jerry Palm picks the teams he feels will comprise the National Semi-final at the end of the season along with bowl projections for every single game.
www.cbssports.com
Duke's Mayo Bowl
Jan. 3 •
Charlotte, NC
Louisville
-2.5
Illinois
Latest bowl projections: More changes at the top; Indiana eyes playoff spot
With Georgia handing Texas its first loss while other contenders remained unbeaten, we take another look at all the bowl matchups.
College football bowl projections in Week 9: Indiana moves to playoff, Georgia pushes out front
The first College Football Playoff rankings are out soon, but projections are here now.
247sports.com
Citrus Bowl
Projection: LSU vs. Illinois
One of the first teams out of this week's projected playoff, LSU obviously has its say in whether or not it gets to the 12-team tournament. Next week's trip to College Station is one of the biggest games of the season in the SEC given the Tigers and Aggies being the only unbeatens — in conference play — remaining. And how about the Fighting Illini? Illinois stopped Michigan in its tracks offensively and is now 6-1 after Week 8.
Music City Bowl (Dec. 30)
Tie-In: Big Ten vs. SECProjection: South Carolina vs. Illinois
College Football Bowl Projections going into Week 9: Can Georgia still snag SEC's auto-bid?
After some significant upsets in Week 8, the projected College Football Playoff bracket has been shaken up a bit.
fansided.com
Citrus Bowl - Illinois v. Iowa State
The Fighting Illini have shown up as Big Ten contenders this year but ultimately they're destined to fall short of the title game in Indianapolis. A consolation prize in Orlando will do just fine, especially with a shot at the likely Big 12 runners-up. Iowa State could find itself in the playoff in another scenario but given its recent form, there's at least one loss coming before probably falling short to undefeated BYU in the conference title game. Chalk this one up as a potential instant classic for bowl season.
B1G bowl projections after Week 7: Advantage, Oregon?
Big Ten bowl projections after Week 7.
saturdaytradition.com
If it's a 12 seed or the Citrus Bowl, I would take the Citrus Bowl.
Going to another school for a game is not my ideal scenario. Now my minds starts to wander. Hypothetically, it could be a trip to Columbus to play O$U. How does this work, does Illinois get a ticket allocation, does the band make the trip? You win and then you go to Pasadena against the #1 team. How many fans would just wait to see if you win the first matchup? Frankly, a trip to Columbus in December does not feel like much of a reward. Imagine if we were seeded 5-8 and the outrage from another school that would have to come to Champaign in December.
Going to another school for a game is not my ideal scenario. Now my minds starts to wander. Hypothetically, it could be a trip to Columbus to play O$U. How does this work, does Illinois get a ticket allocation, does the band make the trip? You win and then you go to Pasadena against the #1 team. How many fans would just wait to see if you win the first matchup? Frankly, a trip to Columbus in December does not feel like much of a reward. Imagine if we were seeded 5-8 and the outrage from another school that would have to come to Champaign in December.
Do you realize how many more eyes will be on our game if as 12 seed Illinois team is playing at 5 seed Notre Dame/Miami/Clemson/LSU/Texas instead of a Citrus Bowl where players on both teams are more likely to sit out the game? It would be huge for the program and the brand to make the playoff.
Under this expanded playoff, the playoff is The Postseason. Making a bowl game won't be what it used to be (and arguably that change has already happened). Rooting to miss the playoff and play in the Citrus Bowl is kind of like rooting to miss the Tourney so you can try and win the NIT. Sure, it's a great accomplishment, and I would be plenty happy for the Illini to play the Citrus Bowl, which is a huge improvement over what most of us thought this season had in store for us, but given the choice you absolutely want the program to make the playoff.
You do anything to be in the playoff. You get the money, your name being mentioned and constantly next to the best teams in the nation, the recruiting benefits, and the local craziness that would ensue
Even if you go out and look just ok, it's still a huge win for your program. Bowls are still great because of all the increased exposure, but it doesn't compare to being in the playoffs, even if for only one game.
Even if you go out and look just ok, it's still a huge win for your program. Bowls are still great because of all the increased exposure, but it doesn't compare to being in the playoffs, even if for only one game.