Georgia is known as the Peach State, and apparently, its largest city doesn't dig the color Orange. I say this slightly in jest, although I came across something on Facebook this week that was interesting.
Syracuse football opens its 2025 season in just 11 days. The 'Cuse will battle another Orange-clad team, No. 24 Tennessee, in the Aflac Kickoff Game on Saturday, Aug. 30, beginning at noon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. ABC will air this match-up.
The NCAA's official Facebook page had a post offering fans the chance to buy tickets at a 10 percent discount for this enticing non-conference, neutral-site affair. If you're interested, you can head on over to the Ticketmaster Web site.
Does this discounted offer indicate that the Syracuse football versus the Volunteers battle is not going to sell out? Only time will tell there, but it would sadden me just a tad if the seats aren't completely filled up.
Syracuse football is about to embark on its 2025 campaign.
By the way, per stadiumsofprofootball.com, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,000 for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons games and can expand to more than 80,000 for special events.
Recently, Syracuse Orange athletics director John Wildhack said in a radio interview that it's important for 'Cuse fans to travel well for neutral-site games. He has said that the Orange's week-one contest versus Tennessee is an opportunity for the Syracuse football program and its fan base to show up and show out on a national stage.
You've been thinking about it, right?
ππ
Do it!
Plan your Labor Day Weekend trip to Atlanta now!
Get your tickets and reserve your spot at our tailgate when @CuseFootball opens the season on Aug. 30 against Tennessee in the Aflac Kickoff Game! https://t.co/npRVur5xII pic.twitter.com/uDspsyoFVN
β Syracuse University Alumniπ (@SUAlums) August 15, 2025
According to SU Athletics, on the Friday night before the game, there will be a casual meet-up at the Park Bar in Atlanta. On Saturday, there will be a tailgate preceding the game, with food, drinks, photos with Otto the Orange, Syracuse giveaways and more. Click on this link for details (the cost is $44 per person, which is #OnBrand).
Candidly, I don't know what to expect in terms of the crowd for the 2025 season opener. It's a neutral-site contest, although I'd be stunned if there aren't way more Tennessee fans in attendance than 'Cuse fans.
That's not a shot at my alma mater, by the way. Knoxville, Tenn., is a lot closer to Atlanta than Central New York is (approximately 215 miles as compared to around 965 miles). Also, the Volunteers are a massive Southeastern Conference school. Syracuse is not.
Anecdotally, I've heard from a lot of 'Cuse fans who plan to be in Atlanta on August 30 for this encounter. Even if the game isn't sold out, and Tennessee has more fans on hand than Syracuse football, it's all good, so long as the real Orange team prevails.