South Carolina vs Notre Dame: Line, Prediction, TV Channel & Live Stream for 2022 Gator Bowl
By Matt Melton
In what is the first meeting between the two since 1984, South Carolina and Notre Dame are set to meet Friday afternoon in the 2022 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The Gamecocks and Fighting Irish have played only four times ever, with Notre Dame owning a 3-1 all-time advantage.
Ranked as the No. 19 team in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, South Carolina enters the 2022 Gator Bowl off an 8-4 regular season, as well as a 4-4 mark in SEC play. Currently on a two-game winning streak, the Gamecocks defeated two Top 10 teams in their most recent games, beating Tennessee 63-38 at home, as well as Clemson on the road, 31-30.
The Gamecocks rank No. 41 nationally with an average of 31.7 PPG offensively, but will however be without a few key names such as MarShawn Lloyd, Jaheim Bell, and Austin Stogner due to the transfer portal. South Carolina will however have quarterback Spencer Rattler, along with others such as Antwane Wells Jr., Jalen Brooks, and Josh Vann.
Defensively, the Gamecocks rank No. 78 nationally with an average of 27.5 PPG allowed, and are led in tackles by defensive back Nick Emmanwori. Sherrod Greene and Jordan Burch are also two prominent tacklers for the Gamecocks, while South Carolina also has a few other names to know such as DQ Smith, Marcellas Dial, Tonka Hemingway, Zacch Pickens, and Debo Williams.
Notre Dame, who is in the first season under head coach Marcus Freeman, comes into the 2022 Gator Bowl ranked No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Fighting Irish concluded the regular season with an 8-4 overall record as well, and have won five of their last six games, with the lone loss having come back on November 26 at USC, 38-27.
The Fighting Irish offense ranks No. 48 nationally at 30.7 PPG, and will be led by quarterback Tyler Buchner in this contest, as starter Drew Pyne has since transferred. Leading Notre Dame’s running game is the trio of Logan Diggs, Audric Estime, and Chris Tyree, while Lorenzo Styles Jr., Jayden Thomas, and Braden Lenzy will be the top receivers with star tight end Michael Mayer not playing.
Arguably the strength for Notre Dame comes on defense however where the Fighting Irish rank No. 31 nationally by allowing only 21.8 PPG and 327.4 YPG to opponents. Leading Notre Dame in tackles is the trio of JD Bertrand, Jack Kiser, and Marist Liufau, with the Fighting Irish also without star pass rusher Isaiah Foskey, who ranked No. 7 nationally with 10.5 sacks on the year.
South Carolina vs Notre Dame Line, Spread, Over/Under
According to FanDuel, Notre Dame is a 2.5-point favorite over South Carolina, with the over/under at 51.5 as of Wednesday. Notre Dame is -134, while South Carolina is +112.
South Carolina vs Notre Dame 2022 Gator Bowl Prediction
As indicated by the line above, as well as each team’s ranking, this game has the potential to be close, and could go either way. I’ll say that South Carolina comes away with their third consecutive Top 25 win, and puts the finishing touches on what was been a strong year two for Shane Beamer and Co. in Columbia. Prediction: South Carolina 30, Notre Dame 24
What Channel is the South Carolina vs Notre Dame Game On?
Played on Friday, December 30 from TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL, the 2022 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl featuring South Carolina and Notre Dame will begin at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN.
South Carolina vs Notre Dame Live Stream
The 2022 Gator Bowl between South Carolina and Notre Dame can be found here on fuboTV.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change