Syracuse at Tennessee - 2025 Matchup Preview
Syracuse logo Syracuse Orange vs Tennessee Volunteers(#24)Tennessee 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 (2 - 1) (1 - 1 - 1)
Coach Fran Brown (9 - 3)
Avg Score : 40 - 30 (40 - 30 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.4 - 6.6 (#90)
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)
Our Line: Tennessee -16.5   (SP+ TENN -17)
Projected Score: SYR: 24 - TENN: 41 (65)
TENN Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
SYR Travel: 641 miles
Volunteers (2 - 1) (3 - 0 - 0)
Coach Josh Heupel (37 - 14)
Avg Score : 53 - 29 (57 - 31 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 3.7 (#37)
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+17.555.5
Sat 9/27 Syracuse vs Duke-3.5
Sat 10/4 Syracuse at SMU+7.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Syracuse vs Pittsburgh+2
Sat 10/25 Syracuse at Georgia Tech+8.5
Fri 10/31 Syracuse vs North Carolina-7
Sat 11/8 Syracuse at Miami+22
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Syracuse at Notre Dame+15
Sat 11/29 Syracuse vs Boston College-1.5

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-39.569.5
Sat 9/27 Tennessee at Mississippi State-5.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Tennessee vs Arkansas-9
Sat 10/18 Tennessee at Alabama+9
Sat 10/25 Tennessee at Kentucky-11
Sat 11/1 Tennessee vs Oklahoma+1.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Tennessee vs New Mexico State-39.5
Sat 11/22 Tennessee at Florida-2.5
Sat 11/29 Tennessee vs Vanderbilt-7

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#54 (.24)49% (35)39.754% (28)2.43 (114)10746% (54)3794.76 (39)#111 (.25)45% (110)29.749% (112)43% (90)3.81 (82)41.721
TENN#17 (.43)53% (22)52.751% (35)3.07 (61)21654% (21)3595.22 (26)#73 (.14)43% (89)2947% (102)39% (62)5.13 (124)6411.3
 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 Offense339.739.749%4.76227486107379342%58%54%46%17%.24
TENN Defense32930.542.6%5.131.3 - - - - - 51%49%47%39%17%.14
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SYR Defense329.729.745.4%3.811 - - - - - 45%55%49%43%15%.25
TENN Offense352.756.552.6%5.221295742163595.449%51%51%54%8%.43

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
Syracuse329:1226.744%57%4.741.72141028.9
Tennessee327:2028.758%0%7.76411.364030
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 Offense342% (119)54% (28)36106.737 (38).04 (100)2.43 (114)74% (62)8% (51)0.61 (133)
TENN Defense351% (84)47% (102) - - - - .06 (67)2.69 (58)79% (106)10% (76)0.64 (7)
 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 Defense345% (38)49% (112) - - - - .21 (112)2.73 (64)64% (50)6% (127)1.05 (90)
TENN Offense349% (76)51% (35)40215.75.48 (26).26 (38)3.07 (61)76% (51)4% (5)0.94 (73)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SYR Offense358% (17)46% (54)27.743.3379.38.813.79 (13)3 (92).39 (50)1.6 (63)25% (20)31% (73).55 (32)9% (133)2.5 (11)
TENN Defense349% (61)39% (62) - - - - - - 2 (56).23 (74)1.6 (80)28% (114)16% (17).17 (44)8% (30)3 (136)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SYR Defense355% (102)43% (90) - - - - - - 2 (56).28 (90)1.5 (53)33% (69)30% (72).47 (111)9% (15)2.4 (121)
TENN Offense351% (58)54% (21)2638.7358.79.313.811 (5)2 (60).6 (15)1.6 (47)26% (27)33% (62).58 (28)4% (45)2.5 (15)

Syracuse's Power Ratings
Syracuse's Power Rating: 8.05 #60
Syracuse's Offense Rating: 20.16 #32
Syracuse's Defense Rating: 12.11 #91
2025 Talent Rating: 838.00 #43
Blue Chip Ratio: 6% #49
Syracuse's 2025 Expected Record: 5.4 - 6.6
Syracuse's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.6 #57
Syracuse's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.8 #34
Syracuse's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.0 #80

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: 8.05   Tennessee: 22.69

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: 4.6   Tennessee: 21.8




Tennessee's Power Ratings
Tennessee's Power Rating: 22.69 #20
Tennessee's Offense Rating: 27.17 #11
Tennessee's Defense Rating: 3.59 #48
2025 Talent Rating: 910.00 #20
Blue Chip Ratio: 53 #10
Tennessee's 2025 Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7
Tennessee's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 21.8 #6
Tennessee's Offense SP+ Rating: 36.8 #12
Tennessee's Defense SP+ Rating: 15.2 #10

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 951.5
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Syracuse Scoring
Offense: 39.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 39.7
Defense: 29.7 PPG
Defense on Road: 29.7

Syracuse's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 1
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Tennessee 41
Syracuse 24


Total Points: 65

Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 52.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 56.5
Defense: 29 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.5

Tennessee's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 3 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 1 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202508/30Tennessee45Syracuse26TennesseeTennessee -13.5Tennessee53.5Over
200109/01Tennessee33Syracuse9Tennessee
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Tennessee211 Overs
Syracuse000 Unders

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

(#60) Syracuse Info
Power Rating: 8.05 #60
Offense Rating: 20.16 #32
Defense Rating: 12.11 #91
Overall SP+ Rating: 4.6 #57
Offense SP+ Rating: 32.8 #34
Defense SP+ Rating: 28.0 #80
Talent Rating: 838.00 #43
Blue Chip Ratio: 6% #49
Expected Record: 5.4 - 6.6

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 58%, Run: 42%
Good Offense Success Rate of 49%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.76 PPO
Good Run Success 54%
Avg Pass Success 46%
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 45%
Bad in Scoring Position 3.81 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 49%
Poor Pass Def Success 43%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Record on Road: 0 - 0 (0 - 0 - 0 vs Spread )

Syracuse Notes
(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
(4/8) QB Rickie Collins (So, LSU) named starter
(3/21) RB rebuild. Any ballers? On paper, not obv
(3/21) Def bad LY, returns a lot. DE/CB big needs
(3/21) HC Brown/staff great job in year 1
(3/21) Yr 2 much harder sched, less proven options

Syracuse Highlights
Syracuse does Not Get Runs Stuffed (#28)

Syracuse Secondary is very good (#15)

Syracuse Deficiencies
Syracuse has a really bad Offense Away from Home
Syracuse has a bad TO Margin (#116)
Syracuse Fumbles a Lot (#113)
Syracuse Can Not Run the Ball (#119)
Syracuse offense is not Explosive (#109)
Syracuse Defense Gives up a Lot of Points Away from home
Syracuse does not Sack the QB (#112)
Syracuse has a bad defense (#110)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatTENNSYR
OverallOver#13#35
OffenseOff#13#17
DefenseDef#40#80
Special TeamsST#52#60
PassingPass#7#22
RushingRush#10#71
Run BlockRBLK#64#27
Pass BlockPBLK#35#50
Route RunningWR Rt#10#16
TacklingTkl#35#13
Run DefenseR Def#55#95
Pass Rush DefPRush#7#57
Coverage DefCov#67#74

Rematch from Week 1
Tennessee -13.5 (53.5)
Tennessee won vs Syracuse this year (45-26)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: SYR | TENN
Depth Chart: SYR | TENN
Rosters: SYR | TENN
(#20) Tennessee Info
Power Rating: 22.69 #20
Offense Rating: 27.17 #11
Defense Rating: 3.59 #48
Overall SP+ Rating: 21.8 #6
Offense SP+ Rating: 36.8 #12
Defense SP+ Rating: 15.2 #10
Talent Rating: 910.00 #20
Blue Chip Ratio: 53 #10
Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 49%
Great Offense Success Rate of 53%
Great Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 5.22 PPO
Good Run Success 51%
Great Pass Success 54%
Avg OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 43%
Awful in Scoring Position 5.13 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 47%
Avg Pass Def Success 39%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Record at home: 1 - 1 (2 - 0 - 0 vs Spread)

Tennessee Notes
(9/15) Aguliar has been good, WR Brazzell a great one
(9/1) Starting CB McCoy out early season (ACL rec)
(9/1) Starting CB R Gibson out until Oct (arm inj)
(8/30) 500+ yds vs Cuse, Aguilar good on deep shots
(8/17) QB1 Aguliar (App St) wins battle for starter
(7/25) TE Kitselman a top TE, but injured in spring
(7/25) CB duo McCoy/Gibson great, is McCoy healthy?
(5/11) OL exp bottom 20 & 53% comes from portals
(5/6) OT Heard was last in SEC in PFF grading
(5/4) Basically traded Nico for Joey Aguliar (App St QB)

Tennessee Highlights
Tennessee is Undefeated vs Spread

Tennessee has Really Good Running Game (#21)
Tennessee offense is efficent (#22)
Tennessee offense is good in red zone (#26)
Tennessee offense is good on 3rd downs
Tennessee Defense Sacks the QB a lot

Tennessee defense does not give up big plays (#18)
Tennessee Secondary is very good (#30)

Tennessee Deficiencies
Tennessee Commits a Lot of Penalties (#109)
Tennessee Does Not Stuff Runs (#111)
Tennessee has a bad red zone defense (#124)


  
Syracuse's OC Jeff Nixon
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Steven Angeli7912464%1073828.7
Rickie Collins (Tr)4667%651110.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Yasin Willis3413944.118
Will Nixon3012914.328
Jaden Hart62804.79
Tylik Hill220010.012
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Darrell Gill Jr.12269222.443
Dan Villari16199012.426
Justus Ross-Simmons9159317.753
Johntay Cook II (Tr)12121110.129

View Syracuse's Full Roster
Syracuse's DC Elijah Robinson
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gary Bryant III (Tr)161000
Darian Chestnut150002
Demetres Samuel Jr.130004
Chris Peal (Tr)111001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kevin Jobity Jr.52100
Braheem Long Jr.61101
Jamie Tremble11100
Gary Bryant III (Tr)161000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Demetres Samuel Jr.130004
Antoine Deslauriers80002
Darian Chestnut150002

Tennessee's OC Joey Halzle
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Joey Aguilar (Tr)639566%906929.5
Jake Merklinger91464%118208.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Star Thomas (Tr)3322136.727
DeSean Bishop2920417.050
Peyton Lewis217623.68
Daune Morris115014.510
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Brazzell II20364518.272
Braylon Staley18231212.873
Mike Matthews13199115.353
Miles Kitselman87919.918

View Tennessee's Full Roster
Tennessee's DC Tim Banks
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Arion Carter262100
Jalen Mcmurray171101
Andre Turrentine150000
Edrees Farooq140002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joshua Josephs123201
Caleb Herring54210
Tyre West101110
Charles House III22100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Colton Hood (Tr)110005
Ty Redmond90003
Edrees Farooq140002