Big Orange Report August 28, 2025

 

Countdown to the Brunch Bowl

The time for talking, estimating and predicting is just about over. On Saturday, The Tennessee Volunteers will tee it up with the Syracuse Orangemen at the AFLAC Kickoff Classic in Atlanta. The battle begins at 11 a.m. CDT. The game will be televised on the ABC network. The Vols opened as a 13.5 point favorite for this contest.

UT enters the game with a roster that is almost at full strength. The wide receivers are participating in practice after three of them had been held out of contact at certain times during pre-season drills.

Syracuse enjoyed a 10-win season last fall and the team's biggest win was a 42-38 victory over Miami. The 'Cuse recorded a 5-3 mark in the ACC. The team rode the arm of the departed Kyle McCord who threw for 4779 yards and 34 touchdowns. Syracuse also lost the team's top receiver and ball carrier and two starting corner backs with eligibility remaining transferred to other schools. This year's offensive line is also a work in progress after the coaches recruited five transfers for the blocking front.

Key Matchups

Joey Aguilar vs. Steve Angeli-- Both teams will be starting transfer quarterbacks in this opener. Aguilar is the most experienced of the two, having been the starter at Appalachian State for two seasons and putting up some impressive numbers. He transferring to UCLA and then to Tennessee during the offseason. Aguilar is a dual threat who can scramble out of trouble when under pressure. A former trainer and coach said, "Joey reminds me of Brett Farve."

Angeli was a career backup at Notre Dame for three seasons. He saw action in 21 games and threw for 772 yards, 10 touchdowns and had one pass pilfered by the opposition.

Of course, the players around the quarterbacks will have a significant bearing on how the field generals perform and questions are going to be answered concerning pass protection and wide receiver contributions in this game.

Vol offensive line vs. Syracuse front seven on defense-- Coach Heupel is going to want to run the football in this lid lifter of the 2025 campaign. The middle of the blocking front will have to contend with defensive nose guard Dion "Tank" Wilson, the best tackle on the "Cuse" defense. It will also be important to watch Vol offensive tackles Lance Heard and freshman David Sanders to see how they handle the opposing pass rushers. Transfer Sam Pendelton will open at center, replacing three year starter Cooper Mays in the pivot.

Tennessee cornerbacks vs. Syracuse wide receivers-- The guess here is that the staff will hold pre-season All American, Jermod McCoy out of this one as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL. The Vols added a late transfer, Colton Hood, who has shined in workouts this month. Ricky Gibson, Jr. improved almost game by game last fall and he should start at the boundary  corner. The leading returning pass catcher for Syracuse is Derrick Gill, Jr. who booked 570 receiving yards a year ago.

Watch For This

Defensive Co-Ordinator Tim Banks is going to want to avoid showing too much of the blitz packages that the Vols have installed and will want his edge rushers and the "rabbit package" (when they move an end inside to a tackle on a five man front) to produce constant pressure on Angeli when he drops to throw. Edge rushers Josh Josephs, Caleb Herring and Jordan Ross will be keys not only in this game but for the entire season.

Secret Weapon

Third year tight end Ethan Davis may be ready to "spread his wings" and become a bonified weapon on the Tennessee offense. Known as a jumbo wide receiver in high school, Davis has added some muscle and weight but is still one of the most athletic players on the team.

Young Players to Watch For in the Game

Wide Receivers-- No. 4 Mike Matthews, No. 14 Braylon Staley, No. 1 Travis Smith. Linebacker-- No. 13 Edwin Spillman. Edge Rusher-- No. 29 Jordan Ross. Running back-- No. 2 Peyton Lewis. Offensive tackle-- No. 70 David Sanders.

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