This line is on the move.
The Tennessee-NC State line is on the move as the gambling market digests what it saw in week one. The Volunteers are coming off of a clean, dominant performance against Chattanooga, which saw highly-touted quarterback Nico Iamaleava dazzle. The Wolfpack had a couple of issues, however.
NC State walked into the halftime break tied against Western Carolina on Thursday night before eventually pulling away in the fourth quarter. Those two opposite performances have moved this line since where it sat during the offseason.
Tennessee opened as a 5.5 point favorite back in the summer, and that number moved down to 4.5 last week. Now following week one’s results, the number currently sits at 7.5. The total is currently 60.5.
The reason for the line movement is undoubtedly Nico Iamaleava, who completed 22 of 28 passes for 314 yards and three scores on Saturday in his Neyland Stadium debut. The ball hardly even touched the ground as Iamaleava buried the Mocs in just his one half of play.
“Their quarterback, man is he talented? He’s fun to watch,” NC State head coach Dave Doeren said of Nico Iamaleava. “His first college start in a bowl game. He rushed for three touchdowns then. Saturday, he’s completing every ball, throwing accurate on time, shows touch, shows arm strength, shows mobility.
“So it’s a great challenge, great opportunity that way.”
NC State has a talented quarterback of their own, too. Grayson McCall comes over from Coastal Carolina to take over the Wolfpack offense, entering year six of college football. McCall started his NC State career by throwing for 318 yards, three scores and a pick last Thursday night.
A major key for McCall this weekend will be simply staying upright, set to face a stout Tennessee front led by All-American pass rusher James Pearce. Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks isn’t scared to dial up the pressure, and keeping McCall from getting comfortable on Saturday night will be his top priority.
The x-factor here might just be Tennessee’s completely rebuilt secondary, which wasn’t really tested last weekend. Five new starters and a handful of rotational pieces will have to find their footing pretty quickly against a veteran passer.
Kickoff between NC State and Tennessee is set for Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.