First look at South Carolina-Virginia Tech: Betting odds, TV details, more

The preseason is over. Game week is here. All the hype, predictions and hot takes can be laid to rest as the real thing gets underway this weekend.

No. 13 South Carolina takes on Virginia Tech in the Aflac Kickoff Game this Sunday. The Gamecocks will begin their much-anticipated 2025 campaign in a neutral-site game on national television.

Here’s what you need to know:

How to watch South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech

When: Sunday, Aug. 31 at 3 p.m.

Where: Mercedes Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

TV/stream: ESPN and the ESPN app

Series history: South Carolina is 11-7-2 against Virginia Tech, with a two-game winning streak. The last matchup in 1991 was a 28-21 win for the Gamecocks.

Point spread

South Carolina is the favorite to win at -300 odds and a -7.5 point spread, according to FanDuel. The over/under line is set at 50.5 points.

About South Carolina

The Gamecocks are entering their fifth season under head coach Shane Beamer. Under the former Virginia Tech player and coach, USC is 29-22 overall and 1-2 in bowl games. Beamer was named the 2024 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year by The Associated Press following a 9-4 (5-3 SEC) season. USC is ranked 13th in the AP preseason poll, the highest since 2014 (9th). The Gamecocks were picked to finish fifth in the SEC this year.

About Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is led by fourth-year head coach Brent Pry. The Hokies are 16-21 under Pry and 1-1 in bowl games. They went 6-7 last season (4-4 ACC). Virginia Tech lost four of five games to finish the 2024 season, including a 24-10 loss to Minnesota in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. The program was not ranked and did not receive votes in the AP preseason poll. They were predicted to finish 11th in the ACC.

Players to watch: Gamecocks and Hokies

South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers, QB: There’s a lot of hype surrounding the Gamecocks this preseason, and Sellers is undoubtedly at the center of it all. In his first season as the USC starting quarterback in 2024, he threw for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He added 674 yards and seven scores on the ground. Sellers was named to the preseason watch lists for the Manning Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the two major honors for college passers. Sellers is the key to the Gamecocks’ season — if he can’t deliver, it’s possible that South Carolina can’t either.

Dylan Stewart, edge rusher: As a freshman in 2024, Stewart burst onto the scene with 17 solo tackles (23 total), 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He’s expected to take another step forward and anchor a USC pass rush that’s been banged up throughout preseason. With the loss of fellow edge and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kennard, it’s up to Stewart to lead the Gamecocks in the defensive tranches this year.

Virginia Tech

Kyron Drones, QB: Drones enters his third year with the Hokies after transferring from Baylor in 2023. He regressed a bit in 2024, throwing for 1,562 yards and 10 touchdowns with six interceptions. Virginia Tech is hoping Drones can return to form in 2025 and lead the Hokies offense to new heights.

Ben Bell, edge rusher: Entering his sixth season of college football, Bell will make his debut with Virginia Tech this season after stops at Louisiana Tech and Texas State. He posted 32 solo tackles and 10 sacks with the Bobcats in 2023. He sat out the 2024 season after just four games. Reports say the redshirt was not injury-related. Virginia Tech coaches are betting on his production against Power 4 competition.

South Carolina 2025 football schedule

• Aug. 31 vs. Virginia Tech (Atlanta) - 3 p.m. (ESPN)
• Sept. 6 vs. South Carolina State - 7 p.m. (ESPN+/SEC Network Plus)
• Sept. 13 vs. Vanderbilt - 7 or 7:45 p.m. (ESPN or SEC Network)
• Sept. 20 at Missouri - TBD
• Sept. 27 vs. Kentucky - TBD
• Oct. 11 at No. 9 Louisiana State - TBD
• Oct. 18 vs. No. 18 Oklahoma - TBD
• Oct. 25 vs. No. 8 Alabama - TBD
• Nov. 1 at No. 21 Ole Miss - TBD
• Nov. 15 at No. 19 Texas A&M - TBD
• Nov. 22 vs. Coastal Carolina - TBD
• Nov. 29 vs. No. 4 Clemson - Noon (ABC or ESPN)

This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM.