𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞! 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐬. 𝐒𝐲𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 (𝟏𝟐𝐩𝐦 𝐄𝐓, 𝐀𝐁𝐂).

The wait is finally over—college football season is back, and all eyes are on Atlanta this Saturday as the Tennessee Volunteers kick off their 2025 campaign against Syracuse. Head coach Josh Heupel held his weekly press conference earlier this week, giving fans and media an inside look at how the Vols are preparing for their highly anticipated season opener, which is set for 12 p.m. ET on ABC.

Heupel’s message was clear: this team is ready. Coming off an offseason filled with excitement, new recruits, and a renewed sense of determination, the Volunteers are eager to showcase the progress they’ve made since last year. Heupel emphasized that preparation has been intense, with players showing focus and discipline both on and off the field. He praised the veterans for stepping into leadership roles and helping the younger guys adapt quickly to the pace of SEC football.

The matchup against Syracuse brings an extra layer of intrigue. While Tennessee enters the season with high expectations, the Orange are determined to make a statement of their own. Heupel acknowledged Syracuse’s strengths, particularly their physicality on defense and ability to create explosive plays on offense. He stressed that his team must be sharp from the very first snap, noting that season openers often come down to discipline, execution, and minimizing mistakes.

For Tennessee fans, Saturday’s game is more than just a regular opener—it’s a chance to set the tone for the entire season. The neutral-site setting in Atlanta adds to the atmosphere, promising a stadium filled with passionate Vols supporters ready to turn the game into a home-away-from-home advantage.

Heupel also addressed the importance of starting fast. With a challenging SEC schedule looming, getting an early win against Syracuse could build confidence and momentum. He pointed to the work done by both the offensive line and the quarterback unit during the offseason, expressing optimism that the Volunteers’ attack will be dynamic and balanced.

As game day approaches, the anticipation is palpable. The Vols are not just aiming for victory—they are aiming to make a statement about who they are and where they are headed under Heupel’s leadership.

👉 Kickoff is set for Saturday at 12 p.m. ET on ABC, and fans can expect an electrifying start to what promises to be a thrilling season of Tennessee football.