This year’s Aflac Kickoff features another ACC vs. SEC clash between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the South Carolina Gamecocks. Historically, these two programs have met often, with South Carolina leading the all-time series 11–7–2. However, they haven’t squared off since 1991, when the Gamecocks earned a 28–21 win in Columbia, SC. Virginia Tech entered last season with fairly high expectations but stumbled to a 6–7 record, finishing 9th in the ACC. South Carolina, on the other hand, exceeded expectations with a 9–4 finish and 8th place in the SEC. Oddsmakers have the Gamecocks favored at -7.5 (-108) with a moneyline of -298, while the Hokies sit at +7.5 (-112) and +240 on the moneyline, per DraftKings. The over/under is currently set at 51.5 (over -108; under -112).

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Weather

This game will kickoff at 3:00 PM ET in Atlanta, GA in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is a retractable dome, so weather will not be a factor in this one.

Team Overviews

Virginia Tech enters with a mix of veteran talent, transfers, and youth on both sides of the ball. Leading the offense will be third-year starter Kyron Drones at quarterback. The biggest concern lies up front, particularly at center, where redshirt freshman Kyle Altuner takes over, and overall depth along the offensive line remains thin. Defensively, the Hokies bring solid experience at linebacker and along the defensive line, while the secondary leans more on younger talent.

South Carolina also brings a blend of experience and youth, though its areas of inexperience are more evenly distributed compared to Virginia Tech. The Gamecocks will be led by second-year starter LaNorris Sellers, who looks to build on the momentum from last season. Offensively, the main question mark is the receiving corps, which lacks a proven playmaker. Defensively, South Carolina has much more continuity, with reliable contributors at every level, highlighted by sophomore defensive end Dylan Stewart, who will look to create problems for the Hokies’ tackles.

ATS & Over/Under Records & Trends

Last season, Virginia Tech finished 6-7 ATS, struggling outside of conference play with a 1-4 ATS record. As an underdog, the Hokies also failed to gain much traction, going just 1-2 ATS. Totals leaned heavily toward the over, however, with 8 overs against 5 unders. In non-conference games, the over hit in 5 of 8 matchups, while as an underdog, Virginia Tech produced 1 over and 2 unders.

South Carolina, on the other hand, was one of the stronger ATS teams in the SEC, finishing 9-4 overall. As a favorite, they still managed to stay above .500 at 5-3 ATS, while going 3-2 ATS in non-conference play. Their over/under results were nearly split, with 7 overs and 6 unders. When favored, South Carolina produced 5 overs and 3 unders, while in non-conference action, the total leaned slightly to the under with 2 overs and 3 unders.

Final Thoughts

This matchup has the makings of a strong contest, though South Carolina holds the slight edge. While both rosters look different from last season, the Gamecocks enter with added motivation, as many players still feel overlooked after missing the playoff field. With South Carolina’s veteran talent spread across the board, it’s difficult to envision Virginia Tech hanging around late in this one.