The first gameday of the 2025 season is here as Virginia Tech takes the stage in their most high-profile opener in years, facing No. 13 South Carolina in Atlanta in one of only two Power 4 games today and the only one in the afternoon window. This Beamer Bowl comes as Shane Beamer is hoping to lead South Carolina to the Playoff this year while Brent Pry and his AD Whit Babcock are both on very warm seats at minimum entering this season knowing they need this football program to deliver on-field success.
While few will be picking the Hokies to win, an upset victory would cool the temperature in Blacksburg and provide some optimism from outside the program after a disappointing 2024 season.
So with that said, let's dive into the picks but first, here's all our pregame coverage as the 2025 season kicks off.
- A Beamer Bowl Defined By The What Ifs
- Four Hokies to Watch for VT vs South Carolina
- Matchups to Watch for VT vs South Carolina
- 2025 TLP Season Predictions
- 2025 TLP Offensive and Defensive MVP Predictions
- 2025 TLP Bold Predictions
- Offensive Takeaways From VT's First Depth Chart
- Defensive Takeaways From VT's First Depth Chart
Tim Thomas
Virginia Tech has attempted to be "secret" with all the offseason changes they made schematically, but I'm not sure how much benefit that really will bring. Personally, I think it's just paranoia that does absolutely no good but surprises could happen.
Both teams have their unknowns, but the knowns for the Gamecocks have a higher-ceiling with top-tier playmakers like LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart to lead the way.
If VT is going to win this game, they are going to have to establish the running game to try to create some matchups in the passing game. A limited at best Terion Stewart hurts those opportunities, with Tech needing Marcellous Hawkins needing to step up.
Containing LaNorris Sellers' scrambling ability and forcing him to lean heavily on a receiving corps that has some question marks will also be an important element in trying to take down the Gamecocks. That includes trying to prevent athletic freak Nyck Harbor from having the type of home run play or two that he has the ability to produce and almost swung a pair of games last season against Missouri and Alabama.
South Carolina is the better team, but Virginia Tech has the talent to keep this competitive and pull off the upset if they can take out some of the Gamecocks' strengths. I think Tech lingers in this game but South Carolina's stars shine brightest with Sellers and Stewart having big games and a highly-motivated RB Rahsul Faison being the x-factor to lead the Gamecocks to a comfortable victory over the Hokies.
Prediction: No. 13 South Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 16
Josh Poslusny
With the 2025 season kicking off this weekend for the Hokies, it is time that we dive into a preseason record prediction. This team has had a lot of overturn, bringing in a total of 50 new faces along with some new coaches.
They kick the season off in Atlanta against South Carolina (+8). A win here would be arguably the biggest win for the program since they bested Miami, 16-10, in 2004.
With the element of surprise schematically, I fully expect the Hokies to be competitive in this game. While remaining competitive, I think that the Hokies will fall short in the fourth quarter as the South Carolina coaching staff is able to find ways to attack the defensive looks that they are given.
