South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) throws the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The Virginia Tech Hokies and South Carolina Gamecocks clash in Sunday's Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta. The contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will kick off at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA football odds around the Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.

Virginia Tech went 6-7 a year ago. But with new coordinators on both sides of the ball and the fact that 5 of the team's 7 losses were in close games, there is the hope the Hokies can make significant gains in 2025. Getting sharper and healthier on offense -- and perhaps that goes triple for QB Kyron Drones -- would go a long way toward those prospective gains.

South Carolina -- No. 13 in the US LBM Coaches Poll -- went a disappointing 5-7 in 2023, but rebounded a big way last season, with the Gamecocks excelling on defense en route to a 9-4 campaign. That performance has USC fans hoping to break into the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff this December. South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers' continued development, along with how the program replaces lost talent on the other side of the ball, figure as key questions to answer if those hopes are to be realistic.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

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Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:56 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Virginia Tech +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | South Carolina -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Virginia Tech +7.5 (-110) | South Carolina -7.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 51.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina picks and predictions

Prediction

South Carolina 31, Virginia Tech 21

Moneyline

No interest. PASS.

Against the spread

The Gamecocks are 4-1 ATS across their last 5 games away from home.

Peg the Virginia Tech offensive line as a potential problem area here. And that could well mean some stalled drives for the Hokies and havoc plays turned in by the USC defense.

When South Carolina has the ball, there is more potential for Sellers and company to generate enough explosive plays. Look for the Gamecocks to be able to manufacture momentum and times. And eventually a lead.

In 2024, South Carolina was a top-third program in third-down conversions on both offense and defense. The Gamecocks weren't great in the red zone (TDs on just 57.4% of trips inside the 20). Some improvement there would go a long way to South Carolina backing up its success from a year ago, but the ability to crank out big plays takes the pressure off.

BET SOUTH CAROLINA -7.5 (-110).

Over/Under

The new faces on both sides may well lead to some unfamiliarity and fits and starts at times. An exchange of punts likely ensues at some point.

But the South Carolina explosiveness wins out in creating some edge to the offense. The neutral-site dome setting gives a slight edge to the offenses also.

South Carolina ranked 39th in the nation in plays per game last season. The Gamecocks figure to leverage that pace in this season opener.

Consider a partial-play unit on the OVER 51.5 (-110).

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. South Carolina Gamecocks odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Skip Snow, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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