Notre Dame (8-4) takes on South Carolina (8-4) in the Gator Bowl on Friday afternoon. The game is played in Jacksonville, Florida, where both teams have been practicing this week. Both the Fighting Irish and the Gamecocks will take the field without several key contributors from the regular season but the incentive to win is high for both young coaches. This matchup will be nationally televised on ESPN beginning at 3:30 PM Eastern time.
Marcus Freeman must prepare Notre Dame for battle without his best offensive and defensive players, as well as his starting quarterback. Michael Mayer and Isaiah Foskey opted out to prepare for the upcoming NFL draft, while Drew Pyne has since transferred to Arizona State.