Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina Early Prediction, Odds & Picks: Week 1

I'm offering my early Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina prediction and picks, including how LaNorris Sellers and the No. 13 Gamecocks will perform in Sunday's season opener as they aim for the College Football Playoff. Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is slated for 3 p.m. ET (ESPN).

South Carolina is listed as a 7.5-point betting favorite against a Virginia Tech squad that finished 6-7 last season. I'm highlighting several key players, such as the Heisman Trophy odds contender Sellers, as part of my college football Week 1 predictions.

💰 Best Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina early prediction: Week 1 

🔎 College football picks made Monday; odds subject to change. Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Prediction: Virginia Tech +7.5 ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%

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I’ll definitely be monitoring line movement throughout the week, but my Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina early predictions involve the Hokies covering in a low-scoring game. While Sellers and the Gamecocks were impressive last season, they won three of their nine games by four or fewer points. One of those performances was against Old Dominion.

Meanwhile, Kyron Drones is back under center for the Hokies after missing four games last season. The Hokies were 5-4 in games in which he played, with all of their losses coming by 10 points or fewer. Three of them were in one-possession games.

Another reason to be wary of the Gamecocks is the loss of running back Raheim Sanders to the NFL. He was an integral part of why the Gamecocks finished 35th in rushing yards per game last season. Without him, the offense may not be nearly as effective as it was a year ago.

📈 Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina early odds  

See the college football odds from our best college football betting sites.

Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina opening odds

• Moneyline: Virginia Tech +280 | South Carolina -350
• Spread: Virginia Tech +9.5 (-110) | South Carolina -9.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: Over 45.5 (-110) | Under 45.5 (-110)

Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina odds analysis

The Gamecocks opened between 8.5 and 9.5-point favorites at the best sportsbooks. Since then, 74% of bettors have backed them to cover, and yet, the spread has dropped to 7.5 or 8 at every major sportsbook.

To me, this signals that oddsmakers don’t have a lot of faith in the Gamecocks this season. They’re blatantly disregarding public betting interest, essentially trying to create even more tempting lines for bettors to back the SEC school. In situations like this, it can be hard to know which way the spread is going to move, but I expect oddsmakers to eventually move the line the way the public thinks is warranted. However, this won’t ever hit the key number of 10.

As for the total, the line opened at 45.5, but now sits between 49.5 and 50.5. Bettors are split on this number, with 56% of bettors currently backing the Over. With such little support, I don’t expect this total to move much at all.

Don't miss our guide for how to bet on college football or this week's best sportsbook promos.

🚑 Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina injuries to watch  

📊 Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina betting insights 

Here are some betting insights from our college football odds on Tuesday morning:

• 75% of the wagers are on the home side as the line has moved from South Carolina -9.5 to -7.5.
• South Carolina is as short as -295 on the moneyline after opening at -350.
• The total has exploded from an opener of 45.5 to 52.5 with 56% of the wagers on the Over.

⚔️ Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina head-to-head history

• South Carolina has an 11-7-2 all-time record against Virginia Tech.
• The teams haven't matched up since 1991.
• South Carolina is on a two-game winning streak head-to-head versus Virginia Tech.

📺 How to watch Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina 

• When: Sunday, Aug. 31
• Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Weather: Indoors
• Favorite: South Carolina -7.5 (-110 via BetMGM)

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📃 College football betting odds pages  

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