Fran Brown details playing 'blue blood' Tennessee, Josh Heupel's offense
He guided the Orange to a 10-3 (5-3 ACC) record in his first season as a head coach.
Brown discussed playing Tennessee in the Aflac Kickoff to open Syracuse's 2025 season. Kickoff between the Vols and Syracuse is scheduled for noon EDT on Aug. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
'We're blessed to be able to play in such a prestigious venue against the blue blood of college football,' Brown said. 'They've been doing well for years. I've got a cousin that played there, all the way back to Reggie White, so we get a chance to go and play against Tennessee.
"We're just thankful to be able to play in that venue. We're extremely happy to get a chance to go and play against Tennessee. They do a real good job. Our team is excited and thankful, but the main thing is the main thing. We're trying to focus on, like, today. They're back there, they want to focus on the skull session, right? Then they want to focus on the workout they'll have today, so that way we can be ready for that big stage."
More: Tennessee versus Syracuse ranked as third best football game in 2025
He also discussed playing against Tennessee and fifth-year head coach Josh Heupel. Brown served as Georgia's defensive backs coach from 2022-23, during Heupel's second and third seasons with the Vols.
'It's an honor,' Brown said of coaching against Heupel and Tennessee. 'I'm thankful. I think coach Heupel is one of the best coaches in college football. His offense does an amazing job. His defense is rolling.
"What happened at Georgia don't have anything to do with Syracuse. I'm just focused on my mental toughness. I'm going to be where my feet are. We're locked on the day so we can be ready for that big stage. It's a big venue, so we've got to make sure we're ready when the time comes."
More: 2025 win-loss record projections for all 16 SEC football teams
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Syracuse head coach Fran Brown details playing Vols at ACC media days
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