This could be a tough one.
We’re a long three months out from college football returning, but there’s always plenty to talk about. Before Tennessee gets going with another loaded SEC schedule, they’ll have to travel down to Atlanta to face a Syracuse team coming off of one of their best seasons in recent memory. New head coach Fran Brown took Kyle McCord and a host of talented playmakers on offense to make a huge stride in year one.
The program seems to be on the rise, but they’ll have to replace a ton of talent this offseason. Syracuse lost McCord to the NFL Draft, along with running back LaQuint Allen and big-time tight end Orandre Gadsden. Top receiver Trebor Pena hit the portal and ended up at Penn State.
Brown will now turn to quarterbacks Steve Angeli, who enters from Notre Dame and Ricky Collins, who comes from LSU. That situation, along with Tennessee’s three-man quarterback battle, is a main storyline of this opener.
And CBS Sports already has Tennessee on upset alert. The Volunteers, who opened as a double-digit favorite, now have plenty of uncertainty at quarterback. That’s why Brad Crawford thinks Syracuse could spring the upset to open the year.
One of two games inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium during opening weekend, the Vols opened as a 12.5-point favorite against the Orange, via FanDuel Sportsbook. Nearly two touchdowns feels like a bit much with Tennessee debuting a new offense led by UCLA transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar following the Nico Iamaleava saga, right? Syracuse added Notre Dame transfer signal caller Steve Angeli after spring camp and he’ll be battling Rickie Collins in fall camp. This one should be more competitive than the opening line suggests. (Brad Crawford, CBS Sports)
It’s not the wildest thought. Tennessee will be replacing Nico Iamaleava, Dylan Sampson, several receivers and four starters up front. They’ll once again be leaning on their defense, which will more than likely be without star cornerback Jermod McCoy to start the season. The good news? Syracuse seems to be in the same boat with several of the same issues to solve.
A lot of this one obviously hinges on the quarterback spot for both sides. It’s going to be interesting to see if Joey Aguilar can get a hold of the job in the fall despite being behind both George MacIntyre and Jake Merklinger in terms of experience in the system. Aguilar is a two-year starter at Appalachian State with some pretty big numbers, but turnovers have been a major issue. Perhaps Josh Heupel’s simplified offense can remedy some of that early on.
Whoever starts — for both teams — this one has potential to be tricky out of the gates in Atlanta.