Syracuse football hopes to pull off a massive upset when the 'Cuse faces No. 24 Tennessee on Saturday afternoon in the 2025 season opener for both Orange-clad schools.
The 'Cuse is a big betting underdog. Here's how to watch this non-conference affair, and what the broadcast crew is. Syracuse football has a huge challenge in front of it during week one, and I believe that the Orange will be up to the task.
I'm not saying that the 'Cuse will ultimately win, but I trust that head coach Fran Brown's program will put up a considerable fight. Brown, who isn't afraid of any foe, used to be the defensive backs coach at Georgia, so he has familiarity with fellow Southeastern Conference member Tennessee.
Brown said this week that as he builds up this 'Cuse program, he wants to play top-flight opponents such as the Volunteers, because to be the best, you have to play - and beat - the best. Of course, Tennessee is 3-0 against Syracuse football in their short all-time series together, and the Vols made last season's 12-team College Football Playoff.
Here are a few things to monitor as we approach game day for Syracuse football.
Neither team has released a depth chart. One key arena for the 'Cuse as it attempts to stun Tennessee is the Orange's offensive line. The Syracuse football OL is vastly revamped from 2024, and Brown said on Thursday night during his weekly radio show that as many as eight offensive linemen "could be ready to go in."
Depth on Syracuse football's offensive line is critical, as the team looks to shine in 2025 on the ground and through the air. At the same time, I'm at least a tad concerned about whether there will be continuity on the offensive line, given that so many guys could go in, and also based on reports indicating various offensive linemen are competing at different positions up front, whether center, guard or tackle.
A big development came on Friday when On3 reported that Tennessee junior cornerback Jermod McCoy will miss Saturday's game. The second-team All-American as a sophomore tore his ACL while training in January. He is a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 'Cuse, meanwhile, doesn't have a ton of injuries to worry about in week one. Freshman wide receiver Darius Johnson will not play on Saturday. I'd monitor sophomore tight end Jamie Tremble, among others, though.
Saturday's affair, to me, is all about the trenches. Can the Syracuse football offensive line contain Tennessee's talented edge rushers? Will the Vols' bigger, stronger offensive line push around a 'Cuse defensive line that is a veteran group, but includes numerous players thrust into larger roles?
Both schools are relying on a new starting quarterback. In 2024, Tennessee had a more balanced offense, and that could benefit the Vols as they potentially focus more on their run game on Saturday than the Orange might.
If Tennessee's offensive line has its way with the 'Cuse defensive front, the Volunteers could rack up rushing yards, boast long, sustained drives, and tire out a Syracuse football defense that will have numerous new starters up front, at linebacker and in the secondary.