Finally. We made it. The wait is over. The 2025 season is finally here. After months of projections and predictions, South Carolina football gets to prove it on the field this Sunday in Atlanta. The No. 13 Gamecocks open the season against Virginia Tech in the Aflac Kickoff Game, a national spotlight matchup at the Merecedes-Benz Stadium.
How to Watch
- When: Sunday, Aug. 31 at 3 p.m.
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN app, or you can sign up for a free Fubo account to watch
- Announcers: Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick, and Kris Budden
Series History
The South Carolina Gamecocks lead the all-time series 11-7-2 and have won the last two meetings. Their most recent clash came in 1991, a 28-21 South Carolina victory.
Betting Odds
FanDuel lists South Carolina as a 7.5-point favorite over Virginia Tech in Sunday's game. The Gamecocks are listed at -300 on the moneyline, while the Hokies sit at +235, with the over/under set at 50.5 points.
About the Gamecocks
Head coach Shane Beamer enters his fifth season at the helm with momentum at his back. Beamer, a former Hokies player and assistant coach, led South Carolina to a 9-4 season, earning SEC Coach of the Year honors from the AP. Beamer's program begins their 2025 campaign ranked 13th in the preseason AP Poll, the highest the Gamecocks have been ranked since 2014.
About the Hokies
Virginia Tech is guided by Brent Pry, who is entering his fourth season in Blacksburg. The Hokies finished 6-7 last season, dropping four of their final five games, including a 24-10 loss to Minnesota in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. They enter the 2025 season unranked and were picked 11th in the ACC preseason poll.
Players to Watch
South Carolina:
- LaNorris Sellers, QB: The sophomore sensation into his second year as the starter with huge expectations. Last year, Sellers threw for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for 674 yards and seven more scores on the ground. Sellers is on the preseason watch lists for the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
- Dylan Stewart, EDGE: After a breakout freshman year with 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, Stewart now takes over as South Carolina's defensive leader up front.
Virginia Tech:
- Kyron Drones, QB: The Baylor transfer showed flashes in 2023 but regressed last season. Drones will need to rebound for the Hokies to compete in Atlanta.
- Ben Bell, EDGE: A veteran with stops at Louisiana Tech and Texas State, Bell logged 10 sacks before redshirting last fall. His debut with the Hokies could be critical.
South Carolina's 2025 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, 7/7:45 p.m. (ESPN or SEC Network)
- Sept. 20 — at Missouri, TBD
- Sept. 27 — vs. Kentucky, TBD
- Oct. 11 — at No. 9 LSU, 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/ESPN)