Considering the Big Ten finish expected of Illinois in the preseason (No. 14 out of 18 teams), a 10-win season culminating in a Citrus Bowl win would seem to make a final-game report card sort of superfluous.

Illinois had a historic 2024 college football season, winning 10 games including the Citrus Bowl. Every story about coach Bret Bielema and the Illini.

The Illini rallied three times before overcoming the Gamecocks in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl thanks to two touchdowns by Josh McCray.