JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Nobody ought to anticipate Notre Dame and South Carolina to look — or most likely play — like they did late within the common season.
The groups are basically shells of themselves proper now.
The Nineteenth-ranked Combating Irish (8-4, No. 21 CFP) and the Twentieth-ranked Gamecocks (8-4, No. 19 CFP) will probably be with out a number of of their greatest gamers once they meet within the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Friday. Their first matchup since 1984 is extra like a preview of 2023 than a wrap of 2022.
Notre Dame, which averaged 40 factors whereas successful 5 consecutive video games earlier than dropping to Southern California within the regular-season finale, will probably be with out quarterback Drew Pyne, All-American tight finish Michael Mayer, standout edge rusher Isaiah Foskey, cornerback Cam Hart and defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola.
The Gamecocks, coming off large upsets of Tennessee and Clemson, are much more short-handed. They are going to be with out working again MarShawn Lloyd, versatile tight finish Jaheim Bell, tight finish Austin Stogner, defensive lineman Zacch Pickens, security Devonni Reed, cornerbacks Cam Smith and Darius Rush and receivers Josh Vann and Jalen Brooks.
Notre Dame is a 3 1/2-point favourite, based on FanDuel Sportsbook.
A number of of the defectors — Mayer, Foskey, Pickens, Reed, Smith and Rush — are getting a leap on getting ready for the NFL draft. Pyne, Lloyd, Bell and Stogner entered the switch portal with plans to play elsewhere. Hart, Ademilola and Vann are injured. Brooks is coping with an undisclosed, off-field difficulty.
They left behind large holes for each packages to fill with only a couple weeks of apply.
“With opt-outs, you don’t know. You don’t know what you’re going to see,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman mentioned Thursday. “We’ll have an concept. We’ll have the bottom ideas that they do on offense and protection and particular groups, however we clearly have to arrange for some completely different wrinkles and issues we haven’t seen.”
The Irish will flip to sophomore Tyler Buchner to exchange Pyne. Buchner, a dual-threat quarterback, began and misplaced the primary two video games of the season earlier than having shoulder surgical procedure. Pyne began the subsequent 10.
“I believe he’s able to roll,” Freeman mentioned. “You discuss a man that hasn’t performed soccer for most likely Week 2 to Week 12. He had a while the place he wasn’t on the apply subject. He’s been magnificent in apply. He’s carried out a terrific job of main the offense.”
South Carolina, in the meantime, may have one vital fixed on offense: quarterback Spencer Rattler. The previous Oklahoma star got here on robust in November. He accomplished 72% of his passes for 798 yards, with eight touchdowns with two interceptions, in wins towards then-No. 5 Tennessee and then-No. 7 Clemson.
Now, the Gamecocks are attempting to win three consecutive video games towards ranked groups for the primary time at school historical past. However coach Disgrace Beamer refuses to concentrate on the gamers who’ve left previously month.
“There are guys that made performs in these video games which might be right here in Jacksonville now,” he mentioned.
NO MAYER, MAJOR PROBLEM
Enjoying with out Mayer might be the most important adjustment for the Irish. The fiery workforce captain had at the least one catch in all 36 video games he performed in his faculty profession and completed with 180 receptions for two,099 yards and 18 touchdowns.
“You don’t need to overhaul issues an excessive amount of,” Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees mentioned. “However you bought to push different guys and spots to step up and make vital performs. … However will probably be just a little completely different. Mike is a hell of a participant.”
TIGER TAMERS
Notre Dame and South Carolina have this in widespread: they each beat Clemson this season and mixed to knock the Tigers out of the School Soccer Playoff.
The Irish beat Clemson 35-14 in South Bend, Indiana, in early November. The Gamecocks upset the Tigers 31-30 in Clemson within the Palmetto Bowl to finish the month.
BOWL HISTORY
Notre Dame is making its fourth look within the Gator Bowl and first since dropping to North Carolina State 28-6 in 2003. South Carolina is enjoying within the Gator Bowl for the fifth time and first since 1987. The Gamecocks are winless in Jacksonville.
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