
Sun Aug 31 21:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Gamecocks, Hokies Clash in Atlanta for High-Stakes Season Opener
**Atlanta, GA -** No. 13 South Carolina and Virginia Tech are set to kick off their 2025 seasons in a highly anticipated matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, August 31st, at 3 p.m. ET. The game, broadcast on ESPN and available for streaming on Fubo, carries significant weight for both programs as they navigate a landscape where the SEC and ACC vie for College Football Playoff dominance.
South Carolina, led by star quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge rusher Dylan Stewart, enters the season with playoff aspirations. Coach Shane Beamer, already the winningest coach in Gamecock history after just four seasons, aims to capitalize on the team’s preseason top-15 ranking.
Virginia Tech, under coach Brent Pry, is looking to reverse a trend of losing seasons. A rebuilt offensive line will be crucial to protecting quarterback Kyron Drones and enabling new offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery’s scheme to flourish. This game is especially important for Pry, whose team hasn’t had an eight-win season since 2019.
The matchup also carries significant personal meaning for Beamer, as he faces the program his father, Frank Beamer, built into a national power. The elder Beamer coached Virginia Tech for nearly three decades. This will be the first meeting between South Carolina and Virginia Tech since 1991.
While the Gamecocks boast a potent offense fueled by Sellers and promising freshmen wide receivers, Virginia Tech hopes to break a six-game losing streak against ranked opponents. South Carolina fans are expected to create a dominant presence in Atlanta, adding to the Gamecocks’ advantage.
According to SportsLine’s computer model, the game promises to be a compelling contest. The model has simulated the game 10,000 times and offers expert picks on its website.
**Game Details:**
* **Date:** Sunday, Aug. 31
* **Time:** 3 p.m. ET
* **Location:** Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
* **TV:** ESPN
* **Live Stream:** Fubo (Try for free)
**[If you’re having trouble finding the game on your TV, contact your provider.]**