Gator Bowl: Notre Dame vs. South Carolina Prediction, Odds & Picks (Friday, Dec. 30)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Audric Estime (7) reacts after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium.
Image Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the Gator Bowl, and Notre Dame is set to face South Carolina on Friday, Dec. 30. The game is scheduled for 3:30 pm ET while airing on ESPN. Notre Dame enters this game as 3.5-point favorites with the total set at 50.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Notre Dame vs. South Carolina prediction for the Gator Bowl below.

Gator Bowl Odds: Notre Dame vs. South Carolina

  • Spread: Notre Dame -3.5
  • Total: 50.5

Odds complied via Betway Sportsbook. New to Betway? Check out our Betway Sportsbook Review to find out how to redeem a $250 risk-free bet!

Game Info

  • Date: Friday, Dec. 30
  • Time: 3:30 pm ET
  • Location: TIAA Bank Field — Jacksonville, FL
  • TV: CBS 

Notre Dame Betting Trends

  • Fighting Irish are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
  • Over is 6-0 in Fighting Irish last 6 games overall.
  • Over is 6-0 in Fighting Irish last 6 non-conference games.

South Carolina Betting Trends

  • Gamecocks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 bowl games.
  • Gamecocks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
  • Over is 4-1 in Gamecocks last 5 non-conference games.

Notre Dame vs. South Carolina Predictions

Both teams will be without key players in this game. Notre Dame is down QB Drew Pyne, TE Michael Mayer, DE Isaiah Foskey, CB Cam Hart, and others. For South Carolina, RB MarShawn Lloyd, TE Jaheim Bell, TE Austin Stogner, DL Zacch Pickens, and others are out as well. So which team has enough pieces in place to win the Gator Bowl? Let’s break it down.

The Fighting Irish have a quarterback — Tyler Buchner — with some starting experience this season. For the most part, Notre Dame will rely heavily on a rushing attack that emerged in the second half of the season. There’s an opening here, as South Carolina ranks 113th in opponent yards per carry and 112th in overall rushing defense.

On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame ranks 25th in scoring defense, 19th in opponent yards per game, and 46th in opponent third down conversion rate. QB Spencer Rattler and South Carolina ended the season with a pair of wins over top ten teams (63-38 vs. Tennesse and 31-30 over Clemson). However, the Fighting Irish have all the tools to zap South Carolina’s momentum, control the football, and pull out the win.

The Pick: Notre Dame -3.5 | -110 at Betway Sportsbook