South Carolina vs Virginia Tech Betting Preview: Gamecocks Favored in Atlanta Neutral Site Showdown

Game Details

Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
TV: ESPN
Betting Line: South Carolina -7 to -9.5 (varies by sportsbook)
Total: 45.5-46.5

The college football season continues with one of just two games scheduled for Sunday, August 31st, as the South Carolina Gamecocks take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

South Carolina: Primed for a Breakthrough Season

Expectations are sky-high for South Carolina this year, and for good reason. The Gamecocks are coming off a 9-4 campaign in 2024 including a 5-3 mark in the SEC, with the team finishing ranked 19th in both major polls after posting six-straight wins to close out the 2024 regular season. The Gamecocks are ranked 13th in most preseason polls and are projected to finish fifth in the SEC.

The driving force behind Carolina’s optimism is quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who returns for his redshirt sophomore season after a spectacular breakout campaign. Sellers was recognized as the National Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman All-American by the FWAA, and became the first All-SEC quarterback ever to play for South Carolina. He became just the third freshman in college football history to throw for 2,500 yards and run for 500 more, joining Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel and Alabama’s Jalen Hurts.

Sellers is widely considered a top 10 Heisman Trophy candidate for 2025 and has been ranked as the eighth-best player in the nation heading into the season. His dual-threat ability makes him particularly dangerous, as he led all FBS quarterbacks in missed tackles forced (33) and yards after contact (359) from Week 9 on last season.

Defensively, South Carolina has retooled but maintained their strength. The defense was 4th in the SEC last season in total defense, and while they lost some talent to the NFL, they loaded up on defensive talent via the transfer portal. The Gamecocks understand the importance of a strong start, as they need a quick start since the second half of their schedule is going to be tough.

Virginia Tech: New Faces, New Coordinators, Same Challenges

The Hokies face significant challenges entering 2025 after a disappointing 6-7 season that ended with a loss to Minnesota in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Virginia Tech returns just 2 starters on each side of the ball, creating massive uncertainty for a program already struggling for consistency.

Head coach Brent Pry has made wholesale changes to his coaching staff, bringing in Philip Montgomery as the new offensive coordinator. Montgomery brings a wealth of experience as a head coach and play-caller, with his impressive resume spanning over two decades in the collegiate ranks, including head coaching experience at the University of Tulsa (2015-2022) and offensive coordinator stints at Auburn, Baylor and Houston. Known for his innovative offensive schemes, Montgomery has consistently developed high-powered offenses and mentored elite quarterbacks, including Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, Bryce Petty and Case Keenum.

On defense, Virginia Tech hired Sam Siefkes as their new defensive coordinator, adding to the program’s instability at the position. Siefkes arrives from the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent two seasons as linebackers coach after previous stints with the Minnesota Vikings. This marks Virginia Tech’s fourth defensive coordinator in six years, highlighting the program’s struggle to find consistency on that side of the ball.

Under Siefkes’ guidance, the Cardinals finished 2024 ranked among the NFL’s top defenses in several categories, including 6th in Opponent Second Half Points Per Game and 8th in Opponent Red Zone Scoring Percentage.

Historical Context and Matchup Analysis

South Carolina leads the all-time series over Virginia Tech by a 11-7-2 count, posting a 5-2-1 record in both Columbia and Blacksburg, but the Hokies have won three of four at neutral sites in a series that dates back to 1905. The teams have not met on the gridiron since 1991, a 28-21 South Carolina win in Columbia.

Interestingly, there’s a family connection that adds intrigue to this matchup. South Carolina is coached by Shane Beamer, who is in his fifth season guiding the Gamecocks. Beamer’s father, the legendary Frank Beamer, posted a 238-121-2 record in 29 seasons during a Hall of Fame career as the head coach at Virginia Tech. Shane, a 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, was on the ’99 Hokie team that played for a national championship and was a member of Frank’s staff as an assistant.

Betting Analysis and Recommendation

The betting lines have South Carolina favored by 7.5 to 8 points with the total at 45.5-46.5 points. However, we have seen a -7 -115 on the board.

Our Recommendation: South Carolina -7 (-115)

Here’s why the Gamecocks are the right side in this neutral-site opener:

1. Experience and Stability vs. Uncertainty
South Carolina returns their star quarterback and has maintained defensive continuity through the transfer portal. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, returns just four total starters and has completely new coordinators on both sides of the ball. New systems take time to implement, especially with such limited returning talent.

2. Motivation and Urgency
The Gamecocks understand the importance of a strong start to position themselves for CFP consideration. They need to take advantage of their favorable early-season schedule before hitting the brutal SEC grind. Virginia Tech, coming off a disappointing 6-7 season, faces less immediate pressure but also less upside.

3. Talent Differential
LaNorris Sellers gives South Carolina a significant advantage at the most important position. His combination of passing ability and explosive running makes him a matchup nightmare, especially for a Virginia Tech defense implementing a new system with limited experience.

4. Historical Precedent
Our model suggests that if this game had been played a year ago, South Carolina would have been favored by 10 points. We believe the Gamecocks will be as good or better than last year’s 9-4 team, while Virginia Tech may take a step back from their already mediocre 6-7 campaign.

Final Prediction: South Carolina 28, Virginia Tech 17

The Gamecocks should handle business in this season opener, covering the spread and setting the tone for what could be a special season in Columbia. Take South Carolina -7 and expect Sellers to announce his Heisman candidacy with a strong performance on the national stage.