Virginia Tech vs South Carolina Prediction, Picks & Odds for August 31 — College Football Week 1

Hatfield's prediction: Continuity will be a major asset for Virginia Tech as they look to stay on South Carolina's heels.

Chris Hatfield - Contributor at Covers.com
Chris Hatfield • Betting Analyst
Aug 30, 2025 • 14:27 ET • 4 min read

NCAAF

Match starts: 12 hrs
SOCAR
69 %
VT
31 %
EXPERT PICK - SPREAD
Virginia Tech +7.5 (-110) Virginia Tech +7.5 (-110)
Read Analysis
Kyron Drones Virginia Tech NCAAF
Photo By - Imagn Images. Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) throws a pass.

Virginia Tech and No. 13 South Carolina will open their respective seasons in a primetime slot at a neutral venue in Atlanta.

Big expectations abound for the Gamecocks, who enter this season predicted to finish fifth in the SEC by the media but with their eyes on even greater achievements.

As for Virginia Tech, the Hokies face a pivotal season regarding the future of head coach Brent Pry, who enters his fourth year looking to finally make a leap.

My Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina predictions break it down here as I bring you my college football picks when the two teams meet Sunday, August 31.

Virginia Tech vs South Carolina prediction

Virginia Tech vs South Carolina best bet: Virginia Tech +7.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

Rust, new coordinators on both sides, and a battle in the trenches point to a tight matchup. With that in mind, grabbing either team at more than a touchdown feels like value. I’m backing the Hokies to cover.

Virginia Tech’s offensive line is still a question mark against South Carolina’s disruptive front, but that very struggle could help keep the game close. The Hokies will try to control the ball, bleed the clock, and lean on QB Kyron Drones to extend plays on the edge. The line has been reworked, with a couple of returners but enough new pieces that consistency may come slowly.

South Carolina’s offense has upside, but not right away. The Gamecocks lost three starters from the offensive line, and while they may hold a physical edge, it will take time to gel. Pair that with a transition to new offensive coordinator Mike Shula’s system, and a slow start is likely.

Continuity leans Virginia Tech’s way. South Carolina’s long-term potential is clear, but in this opener the Hokies are better positioned to hang around and keep it close.

Virginia Tech vs South Carolina same-game parlay

For large portions of the game, both offenses struggle to get going as Virginia Tech’s offensive line faces physical issues and South Carolina’s offense adjusts to a new system.

Eventually, though, South Carolina’s talented backfield takes over, and the attrition war tilts in the Gamecocks’ favor.

We paired that angle with Rahsul Faison to score. The talented tailback ran for eight touchdowns last season, and behind an offensive line that should generate more push as the game wears on, he’s well-positioned to open his account here.

Bet this Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina SGP now at FanDuel!

Our deep-ball SGP: Keeping It On the Ground

  • Kryon Drones Under 186.5 passing yards

I don’t expect much from Drones through the air, largely because volume won’t be on his side. Pressure is one factor, but Virginia Tech will also look to shorten the game with plenty of designed runs for their quarterback.

Virginia Tech vs South Carolina odds

  • Spread: Virginia Tech +7.5 (-110) | South Carolina -7.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Virginia Tech +230 | South Carolina -285
  • Over/Under: Over 51.5 (-115) | Under 51.5 (-105)

Virginia Tech vs South Carolina trend to know

Virginia Tech has hit the 1H Moneyline in 7 of their last 9 games (+8.35 Units / 53% ROI). Find more college football betting trends for Virginia Tech vs South Carolina.

How to watch Virginia Tech vs South Carolina

Location Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Date Sunday, August 31, 2025
Kickoff 3:00 p.m. ET
TV ESPN

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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Chris Hatfield - Covers.com
Betting Analyst

Chris has always had a passion for three things: solving problems, sports, and writing. It’s no wonder then that he found himself attracted to the sports betting industry. You can find Chris betting every day. Whether it’s shot prop markets in Champions League Soccer qualifiers or NBA Summer League, he has no offseason. As an EV+ bettor, he especially values the insight gained through a data-driven approach.

His work has been featured on various websites such as SBNation, Rivals, Bleacher Report, and 247Sports. He has appeared on radio outlets such as ESPN 680 and The Sharp 600 podcast. You can listen to his own podcast, “What High School Did You Go To?” on Apple Podcast and Soundcloud.

Chris has carved out a niche as a college basketball originator with massive profitability success in that sport and stresses one piece of advice to sports bettors: exploit edges as broadly as possible and take advantage of them while they last. His preferred sportsbook is bet365 because of the range of markets you can find.

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