The Syracuse Orange take on the Tennessee Volunteers in Atlanta, GA. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on ABC.
Tennessee is favored by -14 points on the spread with a moneyline of -600. The total is set at 50.5 points.
Here are my Syracuse vs Tennessee prediction and college football picks for Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Syracuse vs Tennessee Prediction, Picks
- Syracuse vs. Tennessee Pick: Under 50.5
My Tennessee vs Syracuse best bet is on the under. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Syracuse vs Tennessee Odds
| Syracuse Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14 -105 | 50.5 -118o / -102u | +425 |
| Tennessee Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14 -115 | 50.5 -118o / -102u | -575 |
- Syracuse vs Tennessee point spread: Tennessee -14
- Syracuse vs Tennessee over/under: 50.5 points
- Syracuse vs Tennessee moneyline: Syracuse +425, Tennessee -575
Syracuse vs Tennessee Game Preview, Betting Analysis
Why Syracuse Can Cover
The Syracuse Orange are coming off of one of their most successful seasons in program history, as Fran Brown led them to a 10-3 record in his first year as a head coach.
But the real question in upstate New York is: Can he keep it rolling in 2025?
It'll be a challenge, as Syracuse ranks 113th in Transfer and Returning Production. When teams overachieve, players tend to get courted by bigger programs, and that's going to be a constant question for mid-tier Power 4 programs going forward in this new era.
Can the coaches effectively reload? Returning only nine starters and losing quarterback Kyle McCord would be daunting to many larger Power 4 programs. However, Brown has shown he can pull in key transfers.
Just look at former Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli. The three-year backup should be able to pick up right where McCord left off.
Here's PFF's primer on him from their 2025 Syracuse preview:
"Angeli plays within himself, showing the ability to read defenses and check the ball down when needed. Like his predecessor, Kyle McCord, he’s a pocket passer who can effectively distribute the football."
For Syracuse to stand a chance against Tennessee, this new-look Orange squad will need to gel, and fast. But Brown proved he could win with transfers last year after bringing in McCord, so who's to say he won't be able to do it again.
However, from an experience and pedigree perspective, McCord was a clear better quarterback entering the season.
While Angeli should be able to mesh, I don't know if it'll happen as fast as it did with McCord.
Why Tennessee Can Cover
The Volunteers find themselves likely scratching their heads after a very confusing offseason that saw them and the UCLA Bruins essentially swap quarterbacks.
After what can best be described as a contract dispute, former five-star talent Nico Iamaleava left for Westwood.
Because it was so late in the transfer cycle, that left the Volunteers without a quarterback. Former Bruin Joey Aguilar was brought in, completing the weirdest quarterback carousel so far in the new transfer era.
Now the question is: Can Tennessee return to the CFP without its star signal caller? Similar to how Angeli should be able to plug and play in Syracuse's style, Aguilar should fit well in Tennessee's system. Josh Heupel loves to push the ball down field, and Aguilar should be happy to oblige.
The former Mountaineer and Bruin has 50 big time throws in the last two seasons, which is the fourth-most in the country.
However, it wasn't just Iamaleava that left. Tennessee lost four starting offensive linemen, its three leading pass catchers and SEC Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Sampson.
Heupel has proven that he's a great offensive mind, but this is a daunting task for any coach, even one with deep NIL pockets in the SEC.
How To Make Syracuse vs Tennessee Picks
In this matchup, we have two offenses that excelled in 2024 with new quarterbacks at the helm.
However, I don't expect fireworks in this Week 1 matchup.
Tennessee lost a ton of talent, and even if it takes a quarter of live action, I expect a few series of friction, especially after the scripted first drive. In fact, if Tennessee goes right down and scores off the kickoff, look to live bet the Orange.
Likewise, even if the Orange had McCord walking through that door, Tennessee would still have the defensive talent to give them headaches.
The Volunteers ranked in the top 10 in Defensive Success Rate Allowed, Defensive Havoc and Defensive Points Per Opportunity Allowed in 2024. While they did lose James Pearce Jr. and Omarr Norman-Lott, this defense still retains a ton of talent.
Despite the offensive success of both teams last year, I expect more of a slow game this year. I wouldn't be shocked if Tennessee rips off a few chunk plays in its first series and then struggles.
The question will be how quickly the Volunteers will find their groove on offense, as their defense should be ready to dominate right away.
The battle of the vibrant oranges should be a good one in Atlanta. There are just too many question marks on offense for me to take the over in this one.
Pick: Under 50.5
