South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech: Expert Predictions for the 2025 Season Opener
The wait is finally over — talking season has ended, and the real action begins. Week 1 of the 2025 college football season is here, and South Carolina is set to open its campaign in Atlanta against Virginia Tech in the Aflac Kickoff Game. The clash kicks off Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPN.
The staff from GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game weighed in with their predictions for how this showdown will play out, along with thoughts on a few other key games around the country.
George Bagwell: “Two words. LaNorris Sellers. If I had to say more words, they would be that South Carolina’s defense might be even better than last year’s, even with depth concerns on the end. Virginia Tech is good enough to make a bowl game under Brent Pry this year, but they simply don’t have the talent that the Gamecocks do.”
Prediction: South Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 10.
Elijah Campbell: “Top to bottom, South Carolina is the superior team… but what’s not obvious, is how much ‘Week One-ness’ we’ll get from both sides. I don’t trust Virginia Tech’s offensive line enough to think they’ll create many scoring chances. For South Carolina, LaNorris will be LaNorris… I’ll trust the team with the best QB in the nation to find the end zone enough times.”
Prediction: South Carolina 24, Virginia Tech 16.
Chris Clark: “I anticipate the Gamecocks will look at times like this is the first game of a new season. But I think the defense will do enough to slow Kyron Drones and that the USC offense will make some explosive plays en route to a two-score win.”
Prediction: South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 20.
Terry Ford: “The only team that will beat South Carolina on Sunday is South Carolina. If the Gamecocks avoid self-inflicted wounds, they should grind out an ugly win as they knock off the early-season rust.”
Prediction: South Carolina 22, Virginia Tech 13.
Griffin Goodwyn: “Sunday’s Aflac Kickoff Game will serve as a full-circle moment for Shane Beamer… LaNorris Sellers and Kyron Drones will put on a show, but the Gamecocks’ depth and Sellers’ playmaking ability will be too much for Virginia Tech to handle.”
Prediction: South Carolina 34, Virginia Tech 21.
Tyler Head: “I don’t expect this to be the prettiest game, but I think Sellers and his underrated wide receiver group will settle in as the game goes on and win semi-comfortably.”
Prediction: South Carolina 34, Virginia Tech 21.
Mingo Martin: “Recent history hasn’t been kind to the Gamecocks in neutral-site openers… If there’s ever a time to change that, it’s now if Beamer’s team wants to be playing in Atlanta again in December.”
Prediction: South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 28.
Kevin Miller: “In a battle between two dynamic quarterbacks, LaNorris Sellers outduels Kyron Drones. Look for South Carolina’s speed on defense to make just enough plays while the offense connects on explosive moments.”
Prediction: South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 21.
Wes Mitchell: “You never know what to expect in a Week 1 matchup… But I’ll go with the team that has LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart. If USC runs away with it, that’s a great early sign for what this team is capable of.”
Prediction: South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 24.
Jay Philips: “Virginia Tech lost seven games last season, but five were one-score contests… The Gamecocks are more talented and the pressure is on to prove it. As Shane Beamer said, the biggest key is staying true to who they are.”
Prediction: South Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 17.
Kendall Smith: “I’m so excited, y’all! It’s finally football season… Sure, there might be a few hiccups, but I still think we’ll see this offense roll.”
Prediction: South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 21.
Mike Uva: “Beamer Ball may have started in Blacksburg, but it lives in Columbia now. Expect South Carolina to make a ‘Beamer Ball’ play of its own on Sunday.”
Prediction: South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 17.
Jack Veltri: “Season openers can be tricky, and they have been for USC in recent years. But this team has higher expectations than ever under Shane Beamer, and I think they’ll pull away in the second half.”
Prediction: South Carolina 34, Virginia Tech 21.
Chris Wellbaum: “I subtracted a touchdown because of the Gamecocks’ slow starts. Still, I don’t think Virginia Tech has enough to take advantage.”
Prediction: South Carolina 22, Virginia Tech 13.
Beyond the opener in Atlanta, the panel also weighed in on other marquee matchups across college football’s opening weekend — including Texas at Ohio State, Alabama at Florida State, LSU at Clemson, and Notre Dame at Miami.
One thing is certain: the eyes of the college football world will be on Atlanta Sunday, where Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks will try to make an early statement against his alma mater.
