SEC Network analyst issues stern warning to Tennessee Vols ahead of opener against Syracuse Orange

The Tennessee Vols are close to a two-touchdown favorite to start the season against the Syracuse Orange in Atlanta.  However, one college football analyst believes the Vols could have their hands very full with the ACC member come opening weekend. 

ESPN college football analyst Cole Cubelic was on the SEC Network on Tuesday during SEC Media Days, and the team of analysts on the broadcast were discussing Tennessee and their 2025 schedule.  Cubelic preached caution about the opener for the Vols. 

"Be careful," Cubelic said. "Be very careful. Steve Angeli, the quarterback at Notre Dame who came in the playoffs last year and looked exception in the Orange Bowl, is going to be the starting quarterback for the Orange, and he is a ballplayer.  And that's a coach that just sat right there with Kirby Smart for a couple of years on his staff, Fran Brown, that knows how to get his young men ready to play." 

Syracuse is a team who knows a thing or two recently about tipping the apple cart over against a favored marquee opponent.  Fran Brown's Orange stunned Miami last year to end the regular season 42-38 in the old Carrier Dome. Syracuse erased a 21-0 first half deficit to knock the Canes out of the ACC championship game and the playoffs. 

However, like Tennessee, the Orange will be working in a talented but new starting quarterback to their offense. So, while Cubelic is saying be careful - and rightly so - the Vols' defense should also pose a substantial threat to QB Steve Angeli and the Orange offense. 

We'll see how things shake out on August 30 at noon ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, when toe meets leather to get an all-orange showcase underway.