We’re thrilled to bring Matt Reed’s game previews back to Rocky Top Insider for the 2025 season. Stop by the RTI website every Thursday for a detailed, in-depth preview of what’s in store for the Vols’ upcoming game as the season goes on. Enjoy.
The Opponent: Established in 1870 by the Methodist Episcopal church, Syracuse University is a private university competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Syracuse has been playing football since 1889 and has a proud tradition in the sport. The school boasts one of the greatest college football players of all time in Jim Brown. Other famous Syracuse football alums include: Ernie Davis, Larry Csonka, John Mackey, Joe Morris, Dwight Freeney, and Donovan McNabb. The Orange are coached by Fran Brown, entering his second season at the school. A native of New Jersey, Brown coached Syracuse to a surprising 10-3 record in his first season at the helm. Fran Brown coached under Matt Rhule and Kirby Smart before taking his first head coaching job with the Orange.
Are they any good?: We don’t know. Last year’s Syracuse team was certainly good. They were one of the best surprises in college football, led by first-year head coach Fran Brown and reclaimed quarterback Kyle McCord, who rewrote ACC passing records. Fran Brown is obviously back, but Kyle McCord is gone. A whole host of talented players followed him out the door, whether to the NFL or the transfer portal. Las Vegas has Syracuse at a 5.5 win total, with the Under at -210. There is not much confidence in this ‘Cuse squad heading into the season, but Fran Brown has already shown the ability to get more with less.
What will this tell us about Tennessee?: It is always wise not to read too much into first games. We will not see a finished product from Tennessee on Saturday, especially on offense. It will show us how much work is still needed in the passing game, though. Joey Aguilar has had very limited time on the practice field with his three starting receivers – Mike Matthews, Chris Brazzell and Braylon Staley. It is fair to assume things won’t be seamless there. Fans will be looking for fireworks, something sorely missing from this offense last season. The Vols were among the worst teams in the SEC in terms of explosive passing plays. Tennessee registered 15 completions of 30+ yards last year. However, that number was only 3 total in the Vols’ six games against teams with a winning record. How far off are Joey Aguilar and these receivers in terms of bringing back those explosive plays? Saturday will give us some idea.
What does Vegas say?: This line has hovered right around two touchdowns all summer long, and currently sits at either 13.5 or 14 with most books. The Over / Under is 50.5. Syracuse was 5-2 against the spread (ATS) as underdogs last season and 2-1 ATS against ranked opponents. The Orange are very comfortable in the role of underdog. Tennessee finished last season 6-4 ATS as a favorite. The Over / Under of 50.5 seems relatively low for two teams that combined for nearly 70 points per game last season. That speaks to the unknowns with both offenses, as well as Tennessee’s strength on defense.
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Matchup to watch on Defense: Syracuse receivers versus Tennessee’s secondary. If the Vols get upset in this game it will be because the Syracuse receivers had a big day. The Orange will not be afraid to throw the ball 50 times on Saturday. Kyle McCord averaged just over 45 attempts per game last season. Fran Brown wants his offense to go fast, and he is not as concerned about run-pass balance. Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli is not a mobile quarterback, and he is playing behind a remade offensive line. The Orange return one starter along its offensive line, tackle Da’Metrius Weatherspoon. The rest of the line will be predominantly filled with incoming transfers. I would expect to see Syracuse work a lot of short and intermediate throws against Tennessee’s defense. If the Vols can tackle, then short and intermediate throws are manageable. Tennessee has to be wary of the home run ball, or missed tackles that turn short gains into long ones. Darrell Gill Jr ended last season on a tear for the Orange, averaging more than 100 yards per game over his final three games. Gill Jr has track speed, and his 18.4 yards per catch are evidence of that. Texas transfer Johntay Cook II is the real X factor for this offense entering the 2025 season. Cook is a former 5-star recruit, but has had a very rocky collegiate career both on and off the field thus far. Cook will mostly play in the slot on Saturday, so should be lined up against the Tennessee nickels for most of the afternoon. Speaking of, how long can Tennessee afford to hold Boo Carter off the field on Saturday? All indications are Carter will feature some in the game, but likely not start. We should see Jalen McMurray start in Carter’s place. Jermod McCoy will not be playing this weekend, replaced by Colorado transfer Colton Hood. The Vols will be breaking in a new safety in Edrees Farooq. I expect Tennessee’s pass rush to be a factor against this Syracuse throw game, but the Vols’ secondary will still have to make plays to win this game. Can Syracuse routinely get the ball out of Steve Angeli’s hands, and force Tennessee’s secondary to make plays on its talented receivers? If the answer to that question is yes, then the Orange can make this a tight game.
Matchup to watch on Offense: Make Syracuse load the box. Fran Brown spent two seasons on Kirby Smart’s defensive staff in Athens. The good news is he knows what it takes to bottle up this Tennessee offense. The bad news is that he does not have nearly the same defensive talent as his time in Athens. Fran Brown knows Tennessee wants to run the ball, though. Everyone knows that, especially with the Vols’ inexperience in the passing game. Tennessee has to force the Orange to move that extra defender into the box on Saturday. Syracuse was very poor against the run in 2024. The Orange gave up over 5 yards per carry last season, dead last in the ACC. Their front seven will feature a few fresh faces in 2025, but will still have an uphill battle to slow down Tennessee’s ground game. Syracuse will be starting a 17-year-old cornerback, high-profile recruit Demetres Samuel Jr. Don’t be surprised to see Tennessee run right at the young Florida native. If Syracuse lets him, Josh Heupel would be content to run the ball 50 times on Saturday. Cuse will do everything they can to prevent that, though. When the Orange commit extra defenders to stopping the run, Tennessee’s passing game has to make them pay. Downfield opportunities will be there if Syracuse loads the box. Can Joey Aguilar take advantage of them?
Fun Fact: Charles Brannock was a Syracuse native and alumnus. By the early 1920s, he found himself the owner/operator of the Park-Brannock Shoe Store in Syracuse. Unsatisfied with the standard measuring devices of the day, Brannock began tinkering with his own invention to measure the human foot. It would have a hard holster for the heel, and sliding devices for both width and length. He received his first patent in 1925 for what was simply called the Brannock Device. Within a generation, the Brannock Device was the standard in every shoe store in America and beyond. It remains so to this day. As we celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Brannock Device, it is worth giving a tip of the cap to its Syracuse roots.
So what happens?: Much of the discussion this week has circled around the unknowns with both teams, especially both offenses. There are new quarterbacks, new offensive lines, and largely new pass catchers. Let’s focus on what we do know then. Under Josh Heupel, Tennessee has had one of the nation’s most consistent run games for the past four seasons. The Vols have eclipsed 2,500 yards rushing every season under Heupel. We also know that Syracuse was pitiful against the run in 2024. From a personnel standpoint, the Orange did little this offseason to offer much hope for improvement. No advantage in this game will be as lopsided as Tennessee running the ball against this Syracuse front seven. We also know that Tennessee’s defense should be the best unit on the field this Saturday. The Vols have experience in the front seven. I expect a Tennessee defense that gave up less than 3.0 yards per carry last season to make the Orange largely one-dimensional. If given time, Steve Angeli and these Syracuse receivers can make plays. I am skeptical how much time Angeli will consistently get in the pocket. Rodney Garner’s rotated line will record at least three sacks of Angeli, and will consistently put the Orange in third and long. Syracuse will not be able to block well enough to consistently drive the ball against this Tennessee defense. Defensively, I don’t expect Fran Brown to coach scared. Brown won’t want to see Tennessee gash him on the ground. Expect to see seven Orange defenders in the box on early downs. Fran Brown will trust his secondary, and will want to force Joey Aguilar to make throws to his new receivers. There will be growing pains there. There will be a few quick and unsuccessful drives for this Tennessee offense early on, and I won’t be surprised to see Aguilar turn it over at least once. The Tennessee ground game will be the consistent motor of this offense though. All three Volunteer backs – Bishop, Lewis, and Thomas – will feature on Saturday as the Vols rush for over 200 yards. Miles Kitselman will have 5+ receptions, and one touchdown. Tennessee starting receivers may not have too many combined receptions, but at least two big splash plays will go a long way in this one. If Tennessee lets Syracuse hang around until the 4th quarter, then Fran Brown’s bunch are very capable of winning this game. College football is mostly determined by talent level though, and nowhere is that more true than the lines of scrimmage. Advantage Tennessee. That is the ultimate difference on Saturday. Tennessee 34, Syracuse 17
