In this article we will formulate a Tennessee vs Syracuse prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, August 30th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 1 matchup.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
The Tennessee Volunteers went 10-3 (6-2) last season and they finished tied for second in the SEC standings with Georgia. Tennessee played very well for most of the 2024 season, but they didn’t lay an egg against Arkansas and Ohio State. The Volunteers picked up wins against Chattanooga, North Carolina State, Kent State, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi State, UTEP, and Vanderbilt, while they lost to Arkansas and Georgia. Tennessee did qualify for the CFP, but they lost to Ohio State by a score of 42-17. Tennessee scored 35.7 points per game last year, which was ranked 13th in the country, while they allowed 16.1 points against per game, which was ranked 7th.
This year, Tennessee will have a new starting quarterback, after all of the drama unfolded with Iamaleava in the offseason. The Vols will turn to Aguilar, who played at Appalachian State, but I have concerns with him in the SEC. To make matters worse, Tennessee’s ground game has question marks and the offensive line will have mostly new faces. On defense, Tennessee was very good in 2024 and they did lose some key pieces, but they are very deep and should be able to hold their own once again.
Syracuse Orange Betting Preview
The Syracuse Orange were 10-3 (5-3) last year and they finished tied for fourth in the ACC standings with Louisville, Duke, and Georgia Tech. Syracuse never lost two games in a row, but they did pick up a bad loss against Stanford early in the season, which set them back in the chase for the CFP. The Orange picked up wins against Ohio, Georgia Tech, Holy Cross, UNLV, NC State, Virginia Tech, California, UConn, and Miami, while they lost to Stanford, Pittsburgh, and Boston College. Syracuse did go to the Holiday Bowl, where they beat Washington State by a score of 52-35. Syracuse scored 34.1 points per game in 2024, which was ranked 21st in the nation, while they allowed 29.2 points against per game, which was ranked 96th.
This season, Syracuse will start Steve Angeli at quarterback, who transferred in from Notre Dame. The Orange lost a bunch of production at receiver, offensive line, and running back, so it will be interesting to see how all of the new pieces fit together. On defense, Syracuse also lost a bunch of production, but they were able to hit the transfer portal pretty hard on the defensive line. I think both sides of the ball will take a step back this season and I also think we will see plenty of high scoring games involving the Orange.
Why Tennessee will beat Syracuse
- Tennessee has won 14 of its last 15 games against non-conference opponents.
- Syracuse has lost 31 of its last 39 games against AP-ranked teams.
- Tennessee has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
- Syracuse has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.
- Tennessee has won the first half in 14 of its last 15 games against non-conference opponents.
- Tennessee has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
Why Syracuse will beat Tennessee
- Syracuse has won 10 of its last 11 season openers.
- Tennessee has lost six of its last eight games in Georgia.
- The underdog has covered the spread in each of Syracuse’s last four games.
- Tennessee has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games in Georgia.
- Syracuse has won the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Tennessee’s last five games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of Syracuse’s last six games have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Tennessee recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of 40+ points of any FBS team last season (3).
- Tennessee ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game last season (2.8).
- Syracuse ranked 1st among FBS teams for passing yards per game last season (370.0).
- Eight of Syracuse’s 13 games last season have been decided by a margin of seven points or less – equal-most amongst FBS teams.
Tennessee vs Syracuse Prediction
Both of these teams come into this season with some expectations after last year’s success, but both also have major question marks. I am not sold on either quarterback in this matchup, but I do think the Tennessee defense will be the strongest unit on the field. I don’t know if Aguilar can do enough to pull away in this game, so I am going to back the under in this contest.