South Carolina Football Set to Open 2025 Season Against Virginia Tech
Gamecock Nation, the wait is over—college football is officially back.
South Carolina kicks off the 2025 campaign on Sunday with a marquee non-conference showdown against Virginia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The No. 13-ranked Gamecocks enter the year off a 9-4 season, their best under head coach Shane Beamer.
Game Details
- Matchup: No. 13 South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech
- Kickoff: 3 p.m. Sunday
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- TV: ESPN (Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick, Kris Budden)
- Streaming: ESPN app
- Radio: ESPN Radio nationally (Mark Kestecher, Kelly Stouffer, Ian Fitzsimmons); 107.5 FM in Columbia locally (Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Chet Tucker); SiriusXM Channel 81
- Series history: South Carolina leads 11-7-2. Last meeting was in 1991.
Odds and Predictions
The Gamecocks are listed as 7.5-point favorites, according to VegasInsider.com. They opened as 10-point favorites before the line shifted. ESPN Analytics gives South Carolina a 70.9% chance to win the opener.
Injury Update
The official SEC injury reports won’t begin until league play, but South Carolina is already expected to be short-handed on the edge. George Wilson, Jaylen Brown, and Kobby Sakyi-Prah are all sidelined with “lower body” injuries.
Weather Forecast
Atlanta will see a high of 75 degrees on Sunday with mostly cloudy skies and a 24% chance of rain, per The Weather Channel. Of course, weather won’t affect play inside the roofed Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Key Storylines to Watch
Shane Beamer’s Hokie Connection
The most notable storyline revolves around head coach Shane Beamer’s ties to Virginia Tech. His father, Frank Beamer, built the Hokies into a national power during his tenure from 1987 to 2015, leading them to 23 consecutive bowl appearances. Shane played under his father from 1995–99, contributing to five bowl teams, and later served as an assistant coach in Blacksburg from 2011–15. Sunday will be a full-circle moment for the Beamer family.
South Carolina’s New-Look Defense
After losing seven starters to graduation and the NFL, the Gamecocks’ defense faces a major test right away. While many national analysts expect a step back, the coaching staff has faith that transfers and young talent will help the unit stay strong. “We’ll see how they perform early against Virginia Tech,” one coach noted.
Rahsul Faison’s Debut
Transfer running back Rahsul Faison finally received clearance for a seventh year of eligibility after nearly nine months of waiting. “He adds more talent to what I believe is an already deep position group,” Beamer said this week. Faison rushed for over 1,000 yards at Utah State last season and earned All-Mountain West honors. His role in the opener will be closely watched.
Managing Preseason Hype
Ranked No. 13 in the AP Top 25, this marks the first time South Carolina begins a season ranked since 2014. That year, the Gamecocks were blown out by Texas A&M on opening night. Fans are hopeful 2025 brings a different outcome.
Players to Watch
- South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers: Coming off a breakout season, Sellers enters 2025 with Heisman buzz, preseason All-American recognition, and a spot on several national award watch lists.
- South Carolina Edge Dylan Stewart: The sophomore pass rusher is primed for a leap after a stellar freshman year. A preseason All-American, Stewart will be the focal point for Virginia Tech’s offensive line.
- Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones: A dual-threat weapon with 3,647 passing yards, 27 TDs, plus 1,154 rushing yards and 11 rushing scores over the past two seasons. He presents a matchup challenge similar to Sellers.
- Virginia Tech DL Kelvin Gillam Jr.: Expected to anchor the Hokies’ defensive line after recording 35 tackles in six starts last season.
South Carolina 2025 Schedule
- Aug. 31 – vs. Virginia Tech (Atlanta) – 3 p.m. (ESPN)
- Sept. 6 – vs. South Carolina State – 7 p.m. (ESPN+/SEC Network+)
- Sept. 13 – vs. Vanderbilt – 7 or 7:45 p.m. (ESPN/SEC Network)
- Sept. 20 – at Missouri – TBD/Flex
- Sept. 27 – vs. Kentucky – TBD/Flex
- Oct. 11 – at No. 9 LSU – TBD/Flex
- Oct. 18 – vs. No. 18 Oklahoma – TBD/Early
- Oct. 25 – vs. No. 8 Alabama – TBD/Flex
- Nov. 1 – at No. 21 Ole Miss – TBD/Flex
- Nov. 15 – at No. 19 Texas A&M – TBD/Early
- Nov. 22 – vs. Coastal Carolina – TBD/Afternoon
- Nov. 29 – vs. No. 4 Clemson – Noon (ABC/ESPN)
