In this Syracuse vs. Tennessee preview, we’re highlighting the players, teams and predictions in this 2025 Week 1 matchup at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
This game may not determine the outcome for the rest of the season. However, this will be an important litmus test for both teams and their 2025 aspirations. With that in mind, let’s dive into this matchup breakdown.
Syracuse Orange vs. Tennessee Volunteers: History and Excerpts
The Syracuse Orange and Tennessee Volunteers have only played each other three times, with the first matchup occurring in 1966. Syracuse has never beaten the Volunteers. Their last meeting happened in 2001, resulting in a 33-9 score in favor of Tennessee.
Entering the week, Syracuse head coach Fran Brown spoke to the media about the matchup.
“We get an opportunity to play against one of the bluebloods of college football,” began Brown. “I’ve looked up to this team for a long time. I remember when Coach Phil Fulmer was coaching there … I think Coach [Josh] Heupel has stepped in and done an amazing job. Just from when he started there, his coaching career, his playing career as a football player, and then now as a coach, he’s always second to none, right?”
“He’s just got a lot of good players. He’s an intelligent coach. Coach Joey Halzle there, offensive coordinator, does a really good job.”
Syracuse vs. Tennessee 2025: Must-Know Keys & Predictions
Key Players for Syracuse
It feels wrong if we don’t start with the quarterback position, as former Notre Dame signal-caller Steven Angeli gets the nod as Syracuse’s starting quarterback in Week 1. Angeli beat out LSU-transfer Rickie Collins in a quarterback battle during the summer, and gets first crack at running the offense. Against Tennessee, Angeli will have to be careful with the football, while continuing to be a playmaker. The Orange won’t win by dinking and dunking on offense.
One player that can help Angeli is running back Yasin Willis. Willis is a 6-foot-1 tailback with speed and power. He’s also likely to be the dominant force in the rushing attack. In order for Angeli to find open passing lanes, Willis will need to assert himself in Week 1.
On defense, the secondary will be important, but my key player is safety Duce Chestnut. Named a captain for the 2025 season opener, Chestnut has versatility within the Syracuse defense. On top of that, the upperclassmen has experience.
Syracuse will be facing a quarterback privy to making mental errors and interceptions. If Chestnut is able to perform well at his position, he could create turnover opportunities in the secondary.
Key Players for Tennessee
Like Syracuse, the Volunteers have a new starting quarterback in 2025. Joey Aguilar comes from Appalachian State (we’re going to ignore the few days at UCLA), where he was truly a playmaker in the Sun Belt conference. However, if he wants to win in his debut with Tennessee, he will need to take care of the football. Aguilar has thrown 24 interceptions in the last two years. With a jump in competition in the SEC, ball security is even more important.
Important in Aguilar’s success will be sophomore wide receiver Mike Matthews. Matthews will likely be across from 17-year old cornerback Demetres Samuel Jr. throughout the night. And while Samuel may be young, he will be tough to get separation from. If Tennessee wants to have success, Matthews needs to win consistently on his routes and create separation for Aguilar.
While I won’t mention one specific player on the defense, the entire front-seven is important in this matchup. Stopping the aforementioned Willis will be vital in this Week 1 meeting. It will force Syracuse to be one-dimensional, and Angeli out of his comfort zone. Stopping the run also allows the Volunteers’ pass-rushers to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback. If they can stop the run, they may pull out a victory.
How Syracuse Wins in Week 1
Somewhat ironically, I think Syracuse’s best chance to win is the same as Tennessee. That is, they must stop the rushing attack and force the opposing offense to be one-dimensional.
Fran Brown is familiar with the Volunteers’ offense, and as a defensive coach, that makes for easier adjustments on that side of the ball. Because of that, I think there’s a chance Syracuse forces Aguilar into making mistakes. If that happens, the Orangemen have a real chance to win.
With that in mind, trench-play is important in this matchup – on both sides of the ball. If the Syracuse defense can do their job, nothing matters if the offensive line can’t do theirs. They must protect Angeli, give him time to throw, and move the line of scrimmage on run plays. With the tackles struggling in fall camp, it’s interesting to see if they can hold it together. Yet if they keep Angeli clean, Syracuse should be able to pull off the upset at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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