Syracuse at Tennessee - 2025 Matchup Preview
Syracuse logo Syracuse Orange vs Tennessee VolunteersTennessee logo
Saturday, August 30th 2025 (12:00 PM EDT)
Tennessee -13.5 (53.5) (-550)  Open: -13.5 | 53.5
Tennessee 45 - Syracuse: 26  (Aflac Kickoff)

 
Orange (3 - 9) (4 - 7 - 1)
Coach Fran Brown (9 - 3)
Avg Score : 20 - 35 (17 - 40 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3 - 9 (#117)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 2)
Game in Dome
Our Line: Tennessee -33.5  (SP+ TENN -30)

Projected Score: SYR: 12 - TENN: 45 (57)
TENN Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
SYR Travel: 641 miles
Volunteers (8 - 5) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach Josh Heupel (37 - 14)
Avg Score : 40 - 29 (42 - 29 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8 - 5 (#54)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 4) (Good: 3) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
 
Syracuse's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Syracuse vs Tennessee+13.553.5L 26 - 45ON
Sat 9/6 Syracuse vs UConn-7.057.5W 27 - 20UN
Fri 9/12 Syracuse vs Colgate-37.564.5W 66 - 24OY
Sat 9/20 Syracuse at Clemson+17.553.5W 34 - 21OY
Sat 9/27 Syracuse vs Duke+4.059.5L 3 - 38UN
Sat 10/4 Syracuse at SMU+17.556.5L 18 - 31UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Syracuse vs Pittsburgh+9.554.5L 13 - 30UN
Sat 10/25 Syracuse at Georgia Tech+17.552.5L 16 - 41ON
Fri 10/31 Syracuse vs North Carolina-1.545.5L 10 - 27UN
Sat 11/8 Syracuse at Miami+28.547.5L 10 - 38OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Syracuse at Notre Dame+36.551.5L 7 - 70ON
Sat 11/29 Syracuse vs Boston College+2.554.5L 12 - 34UN

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Syracuse's Schedule
Tennessee's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Tennessee vs Syracuse-13.553.5W 45 - 26OY
Sat 9/6 Tennessee vs East Tennessee State-39.558.5W 72 - 17OY
Sat 9/13 Tennessee vs Georgia+3.550.5L 41 - 44OY
Sat 9/20 Tennessee vs UAB-39.569.5W 56 - 24ON
Sat 9/27 Tennessee at Mississippi State-7.563.5W 41 - 34ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Tennessee vs Arkansas-10.068.5W 34 - 31UN
Sat 10/18 Tennessee at Alabama+8.560.5L 20 - 37UN
Sat 10/25 Tennessee at Kentucky-7.555.5W 56 - 34OY
Sat 11/1 Tennessee vs Oklahoma-3.055.5L 27 - 33ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Tennessee vs New Mexico State-41.559.5W 42 - 9UN
Sat 11/22 Tennessee at Florida-3.557.5W 31 - 11UY
Sat 11/29 Tennessee vs Vanderbilt-2.066.5L 24 - 45ON
Tue 12/30 Tennessee vs Illinois-3.062.5L 28 - 30UN

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 3, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Tennessee's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SYR#127 (.03)38% (119)20.241% (95)2.61 (125)12335% (125)2172.98 (123)#128 (.28)45% (119)34.945% (99)46% (120)4.15 (113)54.91.90.8
TENN#7 (.34)51% (6)39.852% (4)3.04 (52)16450% (9)2844.66 (11)#68 (.16)44% (97)28.846% (111)41% (67)4.16 (115)51.31.11.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SYR#28 (.25)48% (14)45% (57)2.88 (98)8750% (5)3354.23 (38)#107 (.23)43% (91)42% (58)45% (114)4.29 (112)55.31.21.1
TENN#46 (.23)47% (18)48% (23)3.4 (13)22747% (19)2214.02 (55)#13 (.07)38% (17)36% (9)39% (48)3.03 (10)66.81.21.6



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SYR Offense1220.21737.7%2.981.9193401232173.447%52%41%35%19%.03
TENN Defense1328.82943.7%4.161.5 - - - - - 50%49%46%41%19%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SYR Defense1234.940.245.4%4.150.8 - - - - - 47%52%45%46%13%.28
TENN Offense1339.842.351%4.661.1244481642844.749%49%52%50%12%.34

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Syracuse1230:2819.435%47%6.254.91.90.84.81.6027.6
Tennessee1325:3023.850%73%5.851.31.11.56.22.6328.4
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SYR Offense1247% (90)41% (95)36.2123.13.412 (88) (121)2.61 (125)70% (83)11% (105)0.87 (115)
TENN Defense1350% (71)46% (111) - - - - .09 (65)2.81 (56)81% (123)12% (12)0.85 (16)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SYR Defense1247% (32)45% (99) - - - - .11 (77)2.92 (77)64% (24)8% (111)1.04 (107)
TENN Offense1349% (71)52% (4)34.9164.14.732 (16).26 (10)3.04 (52)84% (3)7% (18)0.95 (74)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SYR Offense1252% (42)35% (125)19.234217.36.411.317 (30)15 (132).1 (124)1.6 (55)33% (92)24% (124).12 (128)8% (129)2.1 (44)
TENN Defense1349% (80)41% (67) - - - - - - 10 (75).23 (59)1.6 (67)31% (70)27% (29).26 (58)7% (46)2.2 (124)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SYR Defense1252% (112)46% (120) - - - - - - 5 (55).44 (131)1.5 (61)29% (106)33% (111).48 (132)5% (98)2.1 (94)
TENN Offense1349% (67)50% (9)21.432.2283.58.813.326 (14)10 (88).43 (18)1.6 (57)26% (15)35% (22).48 (15)5% (33)2.2 (11)

Syracuse's Power Ratings
Syracuse's Power Rating: -16.40  #131
Syracuse's Offense Rating: -4.56  #136
Syracuse's Defense Rating: 11.84  #91
2025 Talent Rating: 838.00  #43
Blue Chip Ratio: 6%  #49
Syracuse's 2025 Expected Record: 3.0 - 9.0
Syracuse's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -14.4  #120
Syracuse's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.1  #116
Syracuse's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.8  #111

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: -16.40   Tennessee: 18.14

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: -14.4   Tennessee: 15.2




Tennessee's Power Ratings
Tennessee's Power Rating: 18.14  #15
Tennessee's Offense Rating: 27.97  #5
Tennessee's Defense Rating: 6.89  #59
2025 Talent Rating: 910.00  #20
Blue Chip Ratio: 53  #10
Tennessee's 2025 Expected Record: 8.0 - 5.0
Tennessee's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 15.2  #21
Tennessee's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.3  #5
Tennessee's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.6  #61

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 951.5
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Syracuse Scoring
Offense: 20.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 17
Defense: 34.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 40.2

Syracuse's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 9
Record vs Spread: 4 - 7 - 1
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record on Road: 1 - 4
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 6 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Tennessee 45
Syracuse 12


Total Points: 57

Based on Last 4 Games
Tennessee 36
Syracuse 23

Total Points: 58

Based on Entire Season
Tennessee 39
Syracuse 24

Total Points: 63
Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 39.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 42.3
Defense: 28.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 29

Tennessee's 2025 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 5
Record at home: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 5 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 7 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 5 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202508/30Tennessee45Syracuse26Tennessee -13.5Tennessee53.5Over
200109/01Tennessee33Syracuse9
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Tennessee211 Overs
Syracuse000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 20 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#131) SYR at (#15) TENN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatSYRTENN
Power RatePwr #131 #15
SP+SP+ #120 #21
Perf GradeGrade #127 #17
OffenseOff #122 #17
DefenseDef #127 #35
Spec TeamsST #111 #53
TalentTal #43 #20
Blue ChipsBC% #49 #10
Syracuse Notes
(10/31) QB1 will be Joseph Filardi, a freshman w/ 1 snap
(10/31) QB Filardi cannot play at all. Cuse have 0 QBs
(10/24) Backup QB Collins bad, Fr Carney can't run offense
(9/21) QB1 Angeli out for season (Achilles)
(9/20) Off torched Clemson, Def played well. Huge Win
(9/20) Can't say enough about HC Brown, great job
(8/30) Def torched by Vols, Angeli Ok, run game bad
(8/18) QB1 Steve Angeli (ND) wins starting job
(5/23) Cuse were 7-2 in 1 score games LY
(5/7) OL 2/5 back, Avg LY. 2 more have exp, Petry inj
(4/17) Fr OL Washington is 6'7, 380 lbs and can move.
(4/17) Top WR Pena in portal, big loss. Some depth
Syracuse Injury Report
Tennessee Notes
(12/30) 0-5 vs winning teams, 8 wins vs teams (27-57)
(12/10) Hiring DC Jim Knowles (PSU/OSU). Good hire?
(12/8) Fired DC Tim Banks after 3 years, Def awful in '25
(11/30) Outrushed by Vandy 314-83. Vols Def fell off a cliff
(11/30) Zero wins vs teams w/ a winning record in '25
(11/16) CB Boo Carter no longer with team. Again.
(10/30) Vols have beaten 3 SEC teams all w/ 0 wins
(10/20) Mistakes killed vs Bama, 10 flags, pick six, safety
(10/20) OG'd Bama, Rush Off good, tackling was nightmare
(9/15) Great perf vs UGA, brutal loss. Off brilliant
(9/15) Aguliar has been good, WR Brazzell a great one
(9/1) Starting CB McCoy out early season (ACL rec)
Tennessee Injury Report
Syracuse on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
SYR OffTENN Def
Perf GradePerf #122 #35
SuccessSuc #119 #97
ExplosiveExp #95 #25
PPAPPA #127 #68
PowerPwr #136 #59
SP+SP+ #116 #61
Pts POPPO #123 #115
HavocHav #125 #18
Syracuse Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
SYR OffTENN Def
Run GameRun #106 #47
Run SuccessRSuc #95 #111
Run ExplRExp #115 #16
PPAExp #121 #65
Run BlockR Blk #92 -
OL YdsOLY #125 #56
Stuff RateStuff #68 #39
TackleTak -  #63
Syracuse Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
SYR OffTENN Def
Pass GamePass #123 #46
Pass SuccessPSuc #125 #67
Pass ExplPExl #55 #67
PPAExp #124 #59
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #122 #24
F7 HavocF7 #105 #12
DB HavocDB #129 #46
Tennessee on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatTENN OffSYR Def
Perf GradePerf #17 #127
SuccessSuc #6 #119
ExplosiveExp #52 #106
PPAPPA #7 #128
PowerPwr #5 #91
SP+SP+ #5 #111
Pts POPPO #11 #113
HavocHav #17 #113
Tennessee Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
TENN OffSYR Def
Run GameRun #12 #134
Run SuccessRSuc #4 #99
Run ExplRExp #74 #107
PPAExp #10 #77
Run BlockR Blk #83 -
OL YdsOLY #52 #77
Stuff RateStuff #15 #44
TackleTak -  #65
Tennessee Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatTENN OffSYR Def
Pass GamePass #3 #88
Pass SuccessPSuc #9 #120
Pass ExplPExl #57 #61
PPAExp #18 #131
Pass Block/RushP Blk #34 #108
F7 HavocF7 #18 #111
DB HavocDB #33 #98
Program Comparison
TENN 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'25 Profile: Down to Top 25 Contenders

SYR 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'25 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 82° - Wind: 6 mph
Rematch from Week 1
Tennessee -13.5 (53.5)
Tennessee won vs Syracuse this year (45-26)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
SYR's OC Jeff Nixon (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rickie Collins (Tr)9718154%10426105.8
Steven Angeli9715563%13171028.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Yasin Willis12955344.341
Will Nixon10743234.028
Tylik Hill2412905.415
Rickie Collins (Tr)5412612.324
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Johntay Cook II (Tr)47559211.959
Darrell Gill Jr.32506515.843
Dan Villari39412010.635
Justus Ross-Simmons20312515.653

View Syracuse's Full Roster

SYR's DC Elijah Robinson (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gary Bryant III (Tr)535110
Antoine Deslauriers483102
Braheem Long Jr.422202
Chris Peal (Tr)392007
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kevin Jobity Jr.206501
Jamie Tremble103320
Braheem Long Jr.422202
Denis Jaquez Jr.195220
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chris Peal (Tr)392007
Demetres Samuel Jr.371007
Darian Chestnut350003

TENN's OC Joey Halzle (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Joey Aguilar (Tr)25838667%344424108.9
Jake Merklinger132454%173207.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
DeSean Bishop163983146.050
Star Thomas (Tr)9552975.652
Peyton Lewis7029074.132
Daune Morris3513313.819
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Brazzell II621017916.472
Braylon Staley64806612.673
Mike Matthews50770415.462
Ethan Davis21257212.240

View Tennessee's Full Roster

TENN's DC Tim Banks (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Arion Carter756221
Edwin Spillman744332
Jeremiah Telander716120
Edrees Farooq710002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dominic Bailey257530
Tyre West227411
Caleb Herring156452
Daevin Hobbs283322
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Redmond391009
Colton Hood (Tr)505008
Jalen Mcmurray546223