South Carolina vs Notre Dame Odds, Spread and Picks – Gator Bowl

• The #21 Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 2-point favorites over the #19 South Carolina Gamecocks in the Gator Bowl on Friday, December 30
• Notre Dame is 3-1 straight up in four previous meetings with South Carolina
• The Irish are 2-4-1 against the spread this season as a betting favorite

The Gator Bowl hasn’t been kind to either of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-4, 6-6 ATS) or the South Carolina Gamecocks (8-4, 7-5 ATS). However, it’s been a touch gentler with Notre Dame.

The #19 Gamecocks played in the first Gator Bowl in 1946 and lost 26-14 to Wake Forest. Since that game, South Carolina also came out second best in the 1980, 1984 and 1987 Gator Bowls.

This will be #21 Notre Dame’s fourth visit to the Gator Bowl. The Fighting Irish lost in 1999 and 2003. But in 1976, Notre Dame downed Penn State 20-9 to win the Gator Bowl.

It’s Notre Dame that oddsmakers like to win this year as well. The Fighting Irish are set as 2-point favorites. Notre Dame is 1-3 straight up in the school’s last four bowl appearances.

South Carolina vs Notre Dame Odds

Odds as of December 28 at Caesars Sportsbook. See the available Caesars Sportsbook bonus code here.

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The kickoff for this game set for Friday, December 30 at 12:30 pm ET at TIAA Bank Stadium. The weather forecast is calling for cloudy skies, 8 mph wind and a temperature of 71 degrees. Broadcast of the game is being handled by ESPN.

Gamecocks vs Fighting Irish Betting Trends

There’s plenty of indecision in the CFB public betting splits for this game. In spread wagering, South Carolina is getting 54% of handle, while 63% of bets are with Notre Dame. The Irish are garnering 55% of moneyline bets, with 52% of moneyline handle leaning to the Gamecocks.

This indecisiveness is continuing into the total splits. The handle (53%) is on the under, while bets (68%) are strongly with the over. Notre Dame has gone over in six straight games. The over is 6-3 in South Carolina’s last nine games.

Notre Dame was favored by as much as 7 points at some sportsbooks in the opening line on this game.

Notre Dame Undergoing Change At QB

Perhaps it’s the uncertainty under center that’s causing the line to shorten so significantly on this game. Quarterback Drew Pyne, who started 10 games for the Fighting Irish this season, has entered the transfer portal and won’t be playing in the Gator Bowl.

Sophomore Tyler Buchner will be starting at QB. He was the starter at the outset of the season but was lost to a shoulder injury against Marshall. Buchner was 0-2 SU as the starter.

WATCH: #NDFootball coach Marcus Freeman says the plan is for @TylerBuchner to start at QB in the Gator Bowl. @gatorbowlsports #GamecockFB pic.twitter.com/XyR4PKKw8B

— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) December 26, 2022

Notre Dame’s rushing offense is #41 in the nation, averaging 182.8 yards per game. The Irish go three deep in quality RBs with Audric Estime, Logan Diggs and Chris Tyree.

That unit will be going up against a South Carolina defense that is 112th at stopping the run (192.4 ypg). As well, the Gamecocks will be missing Zacch Pickens, considered their best defensive lineman. He’s declared for the NFL Draft and is skipping the Gator Bowl. South Carolina has surrendered 200+ rushing yards in six games this season.

Gamecocks Defense Depleted

Along with DT Pickens, starting defensive backs Darius Rush, DeVonni Reed and Cam Smith are also opting out of the Gator Bowl to prep for the NFL Draft.

Quarterback Spencer Rattler is the key to the South Carolina offense. He’s thrown for 2,780 yards and 16 TDs, but has also been picked off 11 times.

Although it wasn’t surprising news based on the circumstances, you just hate it for @JoshVann_ to go out this way. Always a first-class person to deal with, this moment he shared with his daughter after the spring game was a reminder of his motivation this season. He’s great dad pic.twitter.com/2Fszsz9Wl5

— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) December 26, 2022

However, the team is also losing talent on this side of the ball. RB Marshawn Lloyd has entered the transfer portal and RB Lovasea Carroll is injured. WR Josh Vann is listed is out after suffering a knee injury against Clemson. WR Jalen Brooks (personal issue) is listed as a doubtful starter.

South Carolina vs Notre Dame Prediction

While Notre Dame has struggled to cover this season as the betting chalk, South Carolina is 4-1 ATS as the underdog. The Irish are also 6-15 SU in their last 21 bowl games, while the Gamecocks are 6-2 SU in their last eight bowl appearances.

However the inability of the Gamecocks to stop the run could be the decider in this game. Notre Dame is 6-0 SU this season when rushing for 150+ yards.

Picks: Notre Dame Fighting Irish -2  (-110)