The countdown is officially on for Virginia Tech football fans. With the second weekend of July upon us, there are now just seven more Sundays until the Hokies kick off their 2025 season against South Carolina in Atlanta. For head coach Brent Pry and his team, this game represents much more than just a typical season opener—it could set the tone for the entire year.
The Hokies will open the season against Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks, a matchup that could easily be the toughest game on Virginia Tech’s 2025 schedule. South Carolina, led by quarterback LaNorris Sellers, has drawn plenty of preseason attention. Sellers is already generating Heisman buzz, much like Virginia Tech’s Kyron Drones did at this time last year. However, as Virginia Tech fans know all too well, games aren’t won by hype—they’re won on the field.
This marks the second consecutive year that the Hokies will begin their season against an SEC opponent. In 2024, they started their campaign against Vanderbilt on Labor Day weekend, a game that ended in a disappointing loss. Ironically, Vanderbilt will be the Hokies’ Week 2 opponent again this season, only this time the game will be played in Blacksburg. The back-to-back SEC matchups are part of a challenging early schedule that could shape the narrative for Virginia Tech’s season.
Reflecting on last year, the Hokies ended their 2024 campaign with a 6-7 record following a loss to Minnesota in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. That bowl game, however, came with significant roster depletion, as several key players sat out or transferred before the matchup. In many ways, it mirrored the situation from the year before, when a more complete Virginia Tech roster defeated Tulane in the Military Bowl. It’s a reminder that bowl results don’t always tell the full story of a team’s trajectory.
This season, fans are cautiously optimistic about what Virginia Tech can accomplish. While an eight-win season would be considered the ceiling, a seven-win campaign feels more attainable and realistic for many supporters. Either way, the difference between six and eight wins could hinge on a few pivotal moments—starting with the season opener.
South Carolina’s preseason storyline feels eerily similar to what Virginia Tech experienced a year ago. The Gamecocks are riding a wave of offseason excitement, much like the Hokies did last summer. Sellers has been touted as a breakout star, but as Virginia Tech learned in 2024, preseason predictions don’t always translate to wins. Execution on game day is what matters most, and that’s exactly what will make this Week 1 matchup so compelling.
For Brent Pry and his staff, the focus will be on preparing the Hokies to handle one of the biggest tests of their season right out of the gate. Beating South Carolina in Atlanta would send a statement not just to the fan base, but to the entire college football world, signaling that Virginia Tech is ready to take the next step under Pry’s leadership.
With just seven weeks to go until kickoff, the anticipation is building. As the Hokies prepare for their opener against South Carolina, fans are counting down the days and hoping this season will bring more wins, fewer surprises, and a return to relevance in the national conversation.