South Carolina vs. Notre Dame: Prediction and preview
South Carolina vs. Notre Dame is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing bowl games of the postseason.
The Fighting Irish are favored by 2.5 points in this contest. They enter the Gator Bowl having won 8 of their last 10 games to end the 2022 season.
South Carolina, meanwhile, had an excellent finish to the 2022 campaign as well. The Gamecocks pulled off big upsets over Tennessee and Clemson in November.
South Carolina vs. Notre Dame preview
Notre Dame will be boasting a new-look offense in this matchup. Quarterback Drew Pyne, who started the last 10 games of the year, transferred to Arizona State this month. Michael Mayer, who led the team in receiving, opted out of the bowl game in order to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Without Pyne or Mayer, Notre Dame’s offense could look much different against the Gamecocks. Losing Mayer is a major concern, as he was the only Notre Dame pass catcher to go for more than 340 yards this season. Pyne will be replaced by Tyler Buchner, who hasn’t played since Week 2 due to a shoulder injury.
South Carolina has also been devastated by opt outs, transfers and injuries on both sides of the ball. The Gamecocks are down several starters and contributors at running back and tight end. There’s also questions at receiver and at right tackle with longtime starter Dylan Wonnum headed to the NFL.
Defensively, South Carolina will be without both of its first-choice cornerbacks (Cam Smith and Darius Rush) and starting safety Devonni Reed.
However, the Gamecocks will have an advantage at quarterback with Spencer Rattler set to play. Rattler had an up-and-down season at South Carolina, but he was excellent in South Carolina’s upset wins over Tennessee and Clemson. He threw for 798 yards and 8 touchdowns in those contests.
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Notre Dame’s defense will be missing its all-time leader in sacks in Isaiah Foskey, who is headed to the NFL. Defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola has been limited in the lead up to bowl prep. However, the rest of Notre Dame’s solid defense appears to be in-tact ahead of the Gator Bowl. Notre Dame ranked No. 35 nationally in yards per play allowed (5.17) this season.
South Carolina vs. Notre Dame prediction
Notre Dame’s rushing attack figures to be a major problem for South Carolina. That was the Irish’s primary offensive identity this season, as both Logan Diggs and Audric Estime topped 700+ yards this year. On the other side, South Carolina had one of the worst rushing defenses in the SEC — it ranked only ahead of Vanderbilt with 4.85 yards allowed per rush. That mismatch, along with South Carolina’s slew of missing starters, should give a significant edge to Notre Dame.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, South Carolina 20
