An already memorable Week 1 of college football features three more games before it’s time to turn the page to Week 2 and beyond.
Sunday’s nationally televised doubleheader gets underway at 3 p.m. EDT in Atlanta, where Virginia Tech and No. 13 South Carolina meet in the Aflac Kickoff.
Dynamic South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has a chance to make an early-season statement in the Heisman Trophy race. Two of the top three preseason favorites, Arch Manning of Texas and Cade Klubnik of Clemson, got off to underwhelming horrible starts on Saturday.
This could be a make-or-break season for Virginia Tech in Year 4 under Brent Pry. The Hokies have gone 3-8, 7-6 and 6-7 the last three years. With another SEC clash ahead in Week 2 — Vanderbilt visits Lane Stadium next Saturday — VT needs a strong start this afternoon.
Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina Betting Odds
How To Watch Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina
- Kickoff: 3 p.m.
- TV: ESPN
How To Bet Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina
- Virginia Tech 2024 record: 6-7 (4-4 ACC)
- South Carolina 2024 record: 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
Virginia Tech Hokies Betting News, Outlook
Virginia Tech entered 2024 as a darkhorse contender in the ACC, but started the season with a loss to Vanderbilt as heavy road favorites in Nashville. By late September, the Hokies were 2-3, with losses to Vandy, Rutgers and Miami.
The biggest question for this program is what it will get from veteran QB Kyron Drones this season. The senior has been a dangerous runner throughout his career, but he completed just over 60 percent of his passes in 2024, and he missed four games due to injury.
Barring a leap from Drones, the VT offense could have an uphill climb in 2025 after losing its top two offensive weapons from last year’s team, RB Bhayshul Tuten and WR Jaylin Lane. Both were fourth-round picks a year ago, and they are among 10 offensive starters that the Hokies are replacing this year.
A number of the incoming transfers Virginia Tech added on offense were solid at their previous stops, but it’s unclear how they’ll adjust to ACC competition.
The defense was also overhauled this offseason, and Pry made changes at both offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator. With so much turnover and a talented, but up-and-down passer running the offense, it’s easy to see Virginia Tech finishing just about anywhere in the ACC.
South Carolina Betting News, Outlook
At the risk of oversimplifying things, South Carolina has enough talent at QB and recent recruiting success to justify its No. 13 ranking in the preseason AP top 25.
The Cocks do, however, have major questions to answer on defense after losing five key players to the 2025 NFL Draft, all of whom were taken in the fourth round or earlier. South Carolina will miss end Kyle Kennard and tackle Tonka Hemingway up front. The Cocks return a preseason All-American and future NFL pass rusher, Dylan Stewart, but the DL/LB positions are question marks given how much talent those groups are replacing.
In the secondary, Jalon Kilgore was named second-team preseason All-SEC after snagging five interceptions last fall, and most of last year’s defensive backfield, with the exception of star safety Nick Emmanwori, is back.
On offense, Sellers will need to be as good as he was throughout his team’s six-game winning streak to end last season, as this unit is replacing last year’s top running back and wide receiver, plus its starting center and both guards.
Virginia Tech-South Carolina Pick, Best Bets
At first glance, there’s enough turnover on both rosters to make Virginia Tech tempting, especially at +7.5, at a neutral site.
I’m not sure how “neutral” the crowd will be, though, given the short trip from Columbia to Atlanta for the South Carolina faithful. And based on South Carolina’s strong finish in the SEC a year ago and near-upsets of LSU and Alabama, I trust Sellers and USC to take care of Virginia Tech.
So, let’s go with the Cocks to start strong and cover the first-quarter spread. I also like Sellers to eventually wear down Virginia Tech and not only win, but cover.
This is a roll of the dice given how close most of the Hokies’ losses were last year, but I’m going to lean toward the team with a clear advantage at quarterback.
Remember, Drones threw for 200-plus yards just twice in nine games in 2024, and I don’t expect him to run wild on an SEC defense after he was held to 19 yards rushing on 16 carries by Vanderbilt and 13 yards rushing on 11 carries by Clemson — which is one of the few ACC defenses with SEC-caliber talent — last fall.
Best bet:
- 1Q Spread South Carolina -2.5 (-110 at DraftKings) — 1 unit
- South Carolina -7 (-110 at DK, bet365) — 1 unit
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