Analyst highlights what Syracuse must do to upset No. 24 Tennessee

The Syracuse Orange will look to open the season with an upset victory when they play the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta.

The analyst who is calling the game on ABC shared his thoughts on how Syracuse might accomplish the feat.

"They're going to need to really stop that running game," Louis Riddick, who will be on the ABC broadcast, told host Brent Axe of the "Syracuse Sports" podcast.

Tennessee, which made the 12-team College Football Playoff last season, is a 13.5-point favorite on Saturday, according to FanDuel.

That's a sizable number considering that both programs went 10-3 in the 2024 campaign. The Volunteers hope to navigate a brutal Southeastern Conference to return to the CFP, while Syracuse head coach Fran Brown is eyeing another season with double-digit victories.

The Orange, though, have a daunting 2025 docket of their own. Experts deem Syracuse's schedule as the toughest in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and one of the country's most challenging 2025 slates.

Both teams will have new starting quarterbacks: Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli for Syracuse, and UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar for the Volunteers.

Since each school has a new starting signal-caller, Riddick believes that the Volunteers will focus on their rushing attack to allow Aguilar to find his footing.

In 2024, Tennessee was No. 9 around the country in rushing yards per contest, at 225.8. While the Vols' elite RB from last season, SEC offensive player of the year Dylan Sampson, is now in the NFL, Tennessee is still expected to have a strong run game in 2025.

The Volunteers will likely rely on more of a rotational approach with their running back room this season. Those who are in line to get reps include redshirt sophomore DeSean Bishop, sophomore Peyton Lewis, senior Star Thomas, freshman Daune Morris and freshman Justin Baker.

This season, Syracuse's defensive line includes a lot of upperclassmen, but some are being thrust into larger roles from a campaign ago. Tennessee's bigger, stronger offensive line could push the Orange's front around, providing opportunities for the Volunteers to thrive on the ground.

Should that occur, it could prove a long afternoon for Syracuse.

"Line of scrimmage. That's what it keeps coming down to," Riddick added. "Line of scrimmage, line of scrimmage, line of scrimmage. Who can control that early on and allow their quarterback to settle in?"