Virginia Tech and South Carolina Are Going to Atlanta
Two proud programs, one historic stadium. A chance to start the season with a national statement. Virginia Tech and South Carolina are headed to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, to open the 2025 college football season on August 31st. Coming to Atlanta are high-profile transfers and new coaching energy on both sidelines. This early-season showdown carries more than just regional bragging rights; it may shape the early playoff picture.
Virginia Tech’s Turning Point
The Hokies enter 2025 with optimism. Head coach Brent Pry returns a reloaded roster highlighted by quarterback Kyron Drones and Bowling Green transfer running back Terion Stewart, both of whom were named to the prestigious Maxwell Award Watch List. Drones, now fully healthy after battling injuries last season, brings dual-threat capability and veteran leadership to the offense. Stewart, a powerful and proven runner, is expected to provide immediate impact out of the backfield after a standout career in the MAC. Together, they give Virginia Tech a dynamic backfield tandem that could challenge any defense in the ACC. Adding to the mix is new offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery, whose tempo-driven system is designed to emphasize pace, misdirection, and balance. If the pieces click early, the Hokies could field one of their most versatile and explosive offenses in recent memory.
South Carolina’s Shot at Redemption
The Gamecocks are coming off a rocky campaign but bring a physical edge into the new season. Head coach Shane Beamer enters a critical year, where program trajectory and internal expectations are beginning to collide. Atlanta offers a high-profile stage and an early opportunity to flip the narrative, not just with fans, but in national perception. South Carolina’s front seven remains the program’s strength, with players like quarterback LaNorris Sellers and defensive back Jalon Kilgore showing promise in South Carolina’s goal to elevate their status. The neutral-site setting gives the Gamecocks a chance to build early-season momentum in front of a Southeast-heavy crowd that’s expected to bring energy to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For both programs, this showdown is more than a kickoff. It’s a test of identity, toughness, and trajectory, and only one team will leave Atlanta with answers.
