Syracuse vs Tennessee Prediction 8/30/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

Nikos Lagouretos

3 days ago

Nov 9, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Trebor Pena (2) makes a catch in front of Boston College Eagles defensive back Khari Johnson (3) during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Syracuse (0-0) vs Tennessee (0-0)

August 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT

The Line: Betting Odds: Tennessee -14 — Over/Under: +51.5

In this article, we will formulate a Syracuse vs Tennessee Prediction for this College Football Week 1 game on Saturday, August 30^that the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.

Tennessee Volunteers Preview

Tennessee Volunteers had a 10-3 overall record and a 6-2 conference record last season in the SEC. Offensively last season, the Volunteers scored 35.7 points per game, while allowing 16.1 points per game defensively. Tennessee averaged 225.8 rushing yards and 221.2 passing yards per game last season. They allowed 103.9 rushing yards per game and 189.3 passing yards per game.

Nico Iamaleava led the Volunteers last season with 213/334 completed passes and 2,616 total passing yards. He also had 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Gaston Moore had 16/27 passes for 201 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, while Jake Merklinger added 6/9 passes for 48 passing yards. Dylan Sampson led the team in rushing yards, with 1,491 and 22 touchdowns, while Dont’e Thornton had a team-high 26 caught passes for 661 receiving yards, and had 6 touchdowns. Squirrel White caught 34 passes for 381 yards, and 2 touchdowns.

Defensively, Arion Carter had a team-high 68 total tackles, 29 of them solo, while James Pearce Jr. had a team-high 7.5 total sacks, and Will Brooks had a team-high 4 interceptions.

Syracuse Orange Preview

Syracuse finished last season with a 10-3 overall record and were ranked 20th in the nation. They had a 5-3 conference record in the ACC. Offensively last season, the Orange scored 34.1 points per game, while allowing 29.2 points per game defensively. Syracuse averaged 97.6 rushing yards and 370 passing yards per game last season. They allowed 150.2 rushing yards per game and 227.3 passing yards per game.

Kyle McCord led the Orange last season with 391/592 completed passes and 4,779 total passing yards. He also had 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. LeQuint Allen led the team in rushing yards, with 1,021 and 16 touchdowns, while Jackson Meeks had a team-high 78 caught passes for 1,021 receiving yards, and had 7 touchdowns. Trebor Pena caught 84 passes for 941 yards, and 9 touchdowns.

Defensively, Justin Barron had a team-high 93 total tackles, 47 of them solo, while Fadil Diggs had a team-high 7.5 total sacks, and Clarence Lewis had 12 pass deflections.

Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win

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 the Syracuse Orange will win

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.

Syracuse vs Tennessee Prediction

This will be the first meeting ever between those two teams.

In this Syracuse vs Tennessee Prediction, Tennessee is coming as -14-point home favorites. Both teams were very good last season and had identical overall records. Tennessee was better both offensively, scoring 1.6 points per game more than Syracuse, and had an elite defense, allowing 16.1 points per game, 13.1 less than Syracuse. Tennessee was also perfect at home last season with a 7-0 home record, and were 7-5 against the spread, while Syracuse was 4-2 on the road. Syracuse enjoyed a remarkable 2024 season, matching that success in 2025 will be a challenge given the number of new pieces and a brutal schedule. Tennessee’s defense will be good enough to keep the team in the top-25 but there are far too many questions around the offense to expect the Volunteers to make it back to the playoffs. Tennessee has been dominating at home, and I expect them to cover the spread as well, boosted by their home crowd in the season opener.