Syracuse vs Tennessee prediction and analysis

Tennessee Volunteers Season Outlook

The Tennessee Volunteers enter the 2025 season with considerable momentum following their 10-3 finish last year, including a strong 6-2 mark in SEC play. Offensively, the Volunteers maintained a balanced attack averaging 225.8 rushing yards and 221.2 passing yards per game, contributing to an overall 35.7 points scored. Their defense was equally impressive, conceding only 16.1 points per contest while limiting opponents to just 103.9 rushing yards and 189.3 passing yards per game.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was efficient, throwing for 2,616 yards with a 19-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Running back Dylan Sampson was a powerhouse on the ground with nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Wide receivers Dont’e Thornton and Squirrel White provided solid options in the passing game as well. Defensively, the Volunteers were anchored by playmakers such as Arion Carter with 68 tackles and James Pearce Jr. with 7.5 sacks.

Syracuse Orange Team Assessment

Syracuse matched Tennessee’s overall record at 10-3 last season, boasting a 5-3 ACC record and national rank of 20th. Their offense leaned heavily on aerial production, rushing just 97.6 yards per game contrasted with 370 yards through the air and 34.1 points scored. Quarterback Kyle McCord was prolific, completing over 390 passes for 4,779 yards and 34 touchdowns. Their ground game was led by LeQuint Allen who rushed for 1,021 yards. Top receivers like Jackson Meeks and Trebor Pena contributed significantly with over 1,000 and 900 receiving yards respectively.

Defensively, Syracuse conceded almost twice as many points as Tennessee’s defense, at 29.2 points per game, allowing 150.2 rushing yards and 227.3 passing yards per contest. Tackler Justin Barron and sack leader Fadil Diggs led the defense in key statistical categories.

Key Factors and Historical Context

• Tennessee has dominated non-conference opponents recently, winning 14 of the last 15 and covering the spread in 7 of the last 8.
• Syracuse generally struggles against ranked opponents with 31 losses in their last 39 attempts.
• Last season, Tennessee was flawless at home and demonstrated their ability to win early, often leading first half and first quarter scores significantly in neutral-site games.
• Syracuse has a strong history opening seasons, winning 10 of their last 11 openers, but tends to falter against higher-caliber non-conference opponents.
• Both teams typically participate in high-scoring games, with their recent matches tending to go over the total points line.

Prediction Summary

This game presents a classic clash of styles: Tennessee’s robust and balanced defense appears primed to challenge Syracuse’s exceptional passing attack. The Volunteers’ dominance at home and ability to control the line of scrimmage give them a clear edge. Syracuse’s high-octane offense will test Tennessee, but the Orange’s vulnerability on defense and their struggles against high-ranked teams suggest they will find it difficult to keep pace.

Expect Tennessee to start strong, leveraging their home crowd and superior defensive statistics to contain Syracuse’s prolific quarterback and receivers. The Volunteers’ running game and stout defense should produce enough scoring opportunities and limit Syracuse’s ability to mount a sustained comeback.

Given Tennessee’s previous trends covering the spread in non-conference games and Syracuse’s recent struggles doing so, coupled with Tennessee’s perfect home record, the Volunteers should not only win but cover the 14-point spread at their home venue.

Final Prediction

Tennessee will win convincingly, covering the spread with a final score projection of Tennessee 38, Syracuse 21.