USC football vs. Notre Dame Gator Bowl game: Our final score predictions are in
South Carolina football is facing off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2022 Taxslayer Gator Bowl on Friday.
The bowl game is scheduled to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) from TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Flo., home of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.
After the Gamecocks finished the regular season at 8-4 with an upset win over their rival Clemson Tigers and the Tennessee Vols to top it off, South Carolina will look to earn it's final win of the year to stay red hot. Quarterback Spencer Rattler declared he'll be participating, but he'll be missing a few key players who were lost to the transfer portal and the NFL Draft.
Gamecocks' top running back Marshawn Lloyd entered the transfer portal along with tight ends Jaheim Bell and Austin Stogner. Defensive lineman Zacch Pickens and defensive back Cam Smith declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.
A South Carolina win would put the Gamecocks in a comfortable position to enter the offseason and continue boasting recruitment.
Will South Carolina end the finale strong? Here's what our experts had to say.
More:Three coaches who could call South Carolina football offensive plays in Gator Bowl
More:Top 10 South Carolina Gamecocks sports moments of 2022, from national title to Clemson upsets
More:Why South Carolina football's 2023 recruiting class is a major win for coach Shane Beamer
Emily Adams, South Carolina beat reporter
South Carolina 31, Notre Dame 28: The Gamecocks run defense struggles and they get off to a slow start against the Irish's defensive front, but the passing game starts clicking like it did against Clemson and Tennessee. Jeter hits a walk-off field goal in a dramatic victory.
Jim Rice, sports editor
Notre Dame 28, South Carolina 17: South Carolina’s late-season surge came in large part to new-found creativity with its offensive personnel, but its coordinator and key skill position players have departed. Its defense has been challenged by injuries throughout the season, and it has been impacted by portal exits and NFL draft opt-outs. Notre Dame hasn’t escaped unscathed – its quarterback transferred and top receiver and pass rusher opted out – but the Irish have a deeper roster.
Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist
South Carolina 28, Notre Dame 21: Notre Dame is favored in this game despite being without starting quarterback Drew Pyne. Puzzling. South Carolina is riding momentum. As long as Spencer Rattler retains his hot hand, the Gamecocks are positioned to roll that momentum into next season with a bowl victory.
Nick Gray, trending sports reporter
Notre Dame 35, South Carolina 31: The Gamecocks have too many absences to replicate the results of the final two weeks of the season. Still, expect a good Spencer Rattler game.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football Gator Bowl game score predictions Notre Dame
