Virginia Tech Football Betting Update vs. South Carolina: One Week to Kickoff

Being an underdog in this fight is no surprise for Virginia Tech. Coming off a disappointing 6-7 season in 2024, the Hokies endured a mass exodus at wide receiver to the NFL and turned heavily to the transfer portal for reinforcements. Thirty newcomers arrived, spanning nearly every position group. Head coach Brent Pry’s staff will be tested immediately to blend new talent with returners in time for one of the toughest season openers on the national slate.

South Carolina, meanwhile, enters 2025 with steadier footing. The Gamecocks finished 9-4 a year ago, winning six straight games before a close loss in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. Returning quarterback LaNorris Sellers is expected to take a leap in his second year as a starter, and a physical defense anchored by edge rusher Dylan Stewart gives South Carolina reason to feel confident as the favorite.

While Virginia Tech is not going to have the same amount of hype that it received ahead of the 2024 season, South Carolina is going to enjoy plenty. The Gamecocks were one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch of last season and made a case to be in the College Football Playoff at the end. They are going to return quarterback LaNorris Sellers and standout defensive end Dylan Stewart, and may just start the year in the top 10. The Hokies, on the other hand, have been one of the hardest-hit teams when it comes to transfer portal entries, and their roster is going to look a lot different when the two teams kick off the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. To Brent Pry's credit, he did a solid job of landing talent in the portal after an early mass exodus, but they are going to be the underdog in week one vs South Carolina.

The Hokies’ challenge lies in establishing offensive rhythm against the Gamecocks' defense. Quarterback Kyron Drones showed flashes of playmaking ability in 2024 but will operate behind a retooled offensive line and a new-look receiver corps. Ayden and Donavon Greene headline the options on the perimeter, while Terion Stewart, Braydon Bennett and Marcellous Hawkins enter as the the team's new featured backs. How quickly Drones can sync with his targets may determine whether Virginia Tech can keep pace, not just for Week 1, but for the entire 2025 slate.

Defensively, Virginia Tech looks to build on its strength from last season. The Hokies’ pass rush is now led by returnees Kemari Copeland and Kelvin Gilliam Jr. at the defensive tackle spots, while newcomers Ben Bell and James Djonkam anchor the edge rush. The linebacker corps remains largely intact, with Caleb Woodson and Jaden Keller again slated to start. Containing Sellers’ dual-threat ability will be the priority; explosive plays hurt the Hokies repeatedly in 2024.

While the sportsbooks peg South Carolina as the safer bet, it is an opportunity for the Hokies to reset their program narrative early in the year.

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