As the college football world begins to turn its focus toward the 2025 season, anticipation continues to grow around South Carolina’s season opener. The Gamecocks are set to face off against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday, August 31st at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium—a neutral-site showdown that will carry national implications for both programs.
Former SEC quarterback and current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy recently weighed in on this high-profile matchup, offering insights into what fans can expect when these two programs collide under the lights in Atlanta. Speaking during a segment on SEC Now, McElroy highlighted the significance of the opener, calling it a tone-setter for a Gamecocks squad looking to build on its strong finish in 2024.
“South Carolina, last year, they were the darlings, right?” McElroy noted. “That was the team that everybody loved at the end of the year. People thought that if South Carolina made the Playoff, that would be a team you didn’t want to see.”
Indeed, South Carolina finished the 2024 regular season on a six-game winning streak and returned to the national conversation as a team on the rise under head coach Shane Beamer. But heading into 2025, the spotlight is even brighter—and with it comes the pressure to deliver.
McElroy also addressed the roster makeup for the upcoming season, pointing out both continuity and change. “Now, South Carolina has a lot of new faces on the defensive side,” he said. “But their quarterback is back, and their best defensive player in Dylan Stewart is back.”
LaNorris Sellers, the Gamecocks’ dynamic dual-threat quarterback, returns as one of the most anticipated breakout stars in the SEC. Meanwhile, edge rusher Dylan Stewart, a former five-star recruit, is expected to anchor the defense and build on a stellar freshman campaign. Together, they represent the foundation of a team that many believe has the pieces to contend for a College Football Playoff spot in 2025.
The opening stretch of South Carolina’s schedule sets up favorably on paper. After the neutral-site clash with Virginia Tech, the Gamecocks return home for matchups against South Carolina State, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Kentucky—games in which they are projected to be betting favorites. If Beamer’s squad can start 5-0, they’ll carry major momentum into the meat of their schedule.
And that’s where things get tough.
The back half of the 2025 slate is stacked with challenges. The Gamecocks will face six major tests in their final seven games, including showdowns with LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and in-state rival Clemson. Three of those matchups will be on the road, making early-season success essential for a team with playoff hopes.
McElroy’s message was clear: South Carolina’s opener against Virginia Tech is more than just a game—it’s a measuring stick. For a team trying to prove it belongs among college football’s elite, starting strong in Atlanta could set the tone for a special season.
Kickoff in Mercedes-Benz Stadium is just weeks away, and with the eyes of the nation watching, the Gamecocks will have their first opportunity to show they’re ready for the moment.