The Syracuse Orange open the 2025 season in two days and we’ve got some insight on the Tennessee Volunteers from Chase Thomas, a writer/host based in Knoxville. Let’s get a look at the Orange’s opponent from someone who knows them well.
Chase Thomas is the publisher of Tennessee Sports Renaissance Man, a Tennessee Vols newsletter. He’s also the host of ‘The Chase’ on FOX Sports Knoxville & FANRUN Sports Radio from 1-3 PM EST along with ‘The Chase Thomas Podcast’ another daily Tennessee Vols program.
Chase was gracious enough to answer our questions about the game.
TNIAAM: How are Volunteers feeling about the upcoming season?
Chase Thomas: Tennessee’s betting odds projection only dropped a single game after Nico Iamaleava’s surprising spring departure to UCLA. Josh Heupel has won 19 games the last two seasons with below-average quarterback play, has lost one home game in the last three years, and the Vols will likely be favored in nine games this fall. It’s been an exhausting offseason to be sure, but Tennessee has a very comfortable floor in Year 5 under Heupel and fans are cautiously optimistic about this year’s team.
TNIAAM: Like Syracuse, Tennessee will be starting a transfer who came in after spring practice. Does this make you more confident in Joey Aguilar, or more concerned about the quarterback position in general?
CT: It’s tough to say, really. Tennessee has really struggled with their vertical passing game the last two seasons. They’ve struggled scoring touchdowns in the redzone, too. Can Aguilar fix some of that? He will take more chances than Iamaleava did last season down the field, but will he be able to limit his turnover-worthy plays that plagued him and App State in 2024? In a lot of ways, this offense is almost quarterback-proof with their scheme and elite rushing attack. Vols have averaged at least 5.0 YPC every single year under Heupel. To win 9 games this fall, Aguilar just has to be solid, not elite.
TNIAAM: Tennessee lost a lot of their offensive line from last season, will true freshman David Sanders, Jr. be ready to deliver on his promise right away?
CT: Yeah, I’m very bullish on this offensive line. The tackles were a huge problem last year, so the Vols had to live in 12 personnel in SEC play. This year, Lance Heard figures to be one of the best LTs in the SEC and Sanders should be an upgrade over John Campbell and Dayne Davis. Four new starters is a lot, but I’d be very surprised if Tennessee’s offensive line wasn’t one of the best in the SEC this fall.
TNIAAM: Tennessee’s defense seems to have the biggest advantage in this game. Is there a weakness that Syracuse could exploit this weekend?
CT: This is a tough one. Part of what has gotten Tennessee into trouble the last two years defensively is not getting home rushing four. Carson Beck sliced and diced the Vols last fall with over 40 pass attempts and was not put on the ground once. With less firepower on the defensive line this year, does UT blitz more? I’m curious how Coach Banks attacks Angeli early on in this game. With Jermod McCoy unavailable and Boo Carter unlikely to start, I’ll be curious if Syracuse is very aggressive down the field early on. A bad combination for Tennessee could be pass rush issues combined with a thin secondary early on.
TNIAAM: What’s your prediction for the game and why?
CT: Tennessee has really dominated the ACC the last three times out against NC State, Clemson and Virginia. I don’t suspect this to be as lopsided, but closer to what we saw vs. Pittsburgh to open the 2022 season. I think UT will lean on their defense and 12 personnel sets to grind home a victory and limit Aguilar’s chances of turning the ball over in his first start at Tennessee. I’d be pretty shocked if the Vols got upset here, but I think it’ll be closer than folks might think. Give me Tennessee 27, Syracuse 20.
Thanks to Chase. Here’s his preview show if Orange fans want to hear more about this matchup.
