Staff Picks: South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech, other Week 1 matchups

The time has come. Talking season is finally over, and Week 1 of the 2025 college football season is here.

South Carolina will open the season on Sunday in Atlanta against Virginia Tech in the Aflac Kickoff Game. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. on ESPN.

Here’s how the GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game staff sees this game going, plus a few predictions on other key matchups this weekend.

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. South Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 10.

Elijah Campbell: Top to bottom, South Carolina is the superior team and I feel like that element of this game is obvious. But what’s not obvious, is how much “Week One-ness” we’ll get from both sides. I expect a fair deal from Carolina defensively but don’t trust Virginia Tech’s Frankenstein project at offensive line enough to bank on them converting a lot of scoring opportunities. Their special teams unit will account for most of their points. For South Carolina, LaNorris will be LaNorris and I expect a slower start from the running game early on due to a newer interior offensive line and the RB uncertainty they went throughout camp with. However, I’ll trust the team with the best QB in the nation to get his team in the end zone enough times to win the football game. Cocks by 8. 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. South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 20.

Terry Ford: Even though there is a lot of unknown about the Hokies, I think USC is just better. The only team that will beat South Carolina on Sunday is South Carolina. If the Gamecocks stay away from self-inflicted wounds, they should grind out an ugly win as they knock off the early-season rust. South Carolina 22, Virginia Tech 13.

Griffin Goodwyn: Sunday’s Aflac Kickoff Game will serve as a full-circle moment for Shane Beamer. The former Virginia Tech walk-on — whose father, Frank, was in charge of the Hokies’ football program during Shane’s playing days and remains a legend in Blacksburg — will be facing off against his alma mater for the first time as a head coach.

LaNorris Sellers and Kyron Drones are expected to produce an electrifying dual-threat quarterback battle, with the potential for a jaw-dropping play or two (or more). But the Gamecocks, with their depth and Sellers’ game-changing abilities, will do enough to prevent an upset. South Carolina 34, Virginia Tech 21.

Tyler Head: South Carolina enters with a lot of questions after replacing so much talent from a year ago, particularly on defense. I don’t expect this to be the prettiest game (as we learned in week 1 last year), but I think the play of Sellers and his wide receiving core (that’s flying under the radar) will find a nice stride as the game goes along and win semi-comfortably. South Carolina 34, Virginia Tech 21.

Mingo Martin: Recent history hasn’t been kind to the Gamecocks in neutral-site openers, and Atlanta has been even worse between the 2010 SEC title and Chick-fil-A Bowl. If there’s any time to change that, it’s now if Beamer’s team wants to be playing there again in December. 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 team speed on defense to make just enough plays to slow down the Hokies, while the Gamecock offense thrives by stringing together explosive plays. South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 21.

Wes Mitchell: You never know what to expect in a Week 1 matchup and the Gamecocks haven’t necessarily started fast. But I’ll go with the team that has LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart, though it could be closer than some want. If the Gamecocks run away with it, that’s a great sign for what this team could be capable of and would be an early statement. South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 24.

Jay Philips: Opening games always bring a different set of vibes, especially when it’s a game like the one Carolina is playing in Atlanta. Virginia Tech brings a big challenge; yesterday, they lost 7 games last year, but five were one-score games, and two of those went to OT. The Gamecocks are more talented, and more is expected of them, so the pressure to win is instant. As Shane Beamer said this week, the biggest key for his team is to simply make sure they stay true to who they are. As long as that happens, I see a Carolina win. Give me USC. South Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 17.

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Kendall Smith: I am so excited, y’all! It’s finally football season and I have to say, I have a pretty good feeling about this 2025 Gamecock group. Some familiar faces, some new names, and young guys I can’t wait to see step up. So obviously, I’m going with South Carolina to get the job done over VT in ATL. Do I think there might be a few hiccups? Sure. But I don’t want this team to be at its best in week one. I still think we will see this offense roll, though. Give me the Gamecocks over VT. South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 21.

Mike Uva: Beamer Ball may have originated in Blacksburg, VA, but its current residency has been in Columbia, SC, since 2021. Despite so many changes to South Carolina’s special teams, look for the Gamecocks to make a “Beamer Ball” moment of their own on Sunday. South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 17.

Jack Veltri: Season openers can always be tricky, and they certainly have been for the Gamecocks over the last two seasons. This year is different for South Carolina because the expectations are higher than ever before in Shane Beamer’s tenure. Can he lead this team to new heights and build a consistent winner in 2025? We’ll see. But I think we’ll see South Carolina get off to a good start, though it will be close early on. It will be a game that the Gamecocks will need to have a strong second half to pull away and get the job done. I see that happening. South Carolina 34, Virginia Tech 21.

Chris Wellbaum: I subtracted a touchdown because of the Gamecocks’ notoriously slow starts. I have no confidence that the Hokies could do anything to take advantage. South Carolina 22, Virginia Tech 13.

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