The picks are in.
Tennessee got their feet wet in the 2024 season last weekend, now it’s time for a true test. The No. 14 Volunteers will head to Charlotte on Saturday night to face the No. 24 NC State Wolfpack.
Nico Iamaleava enters this one with a lot of hype — what can he deliver for an encore? Our picks are below.
Terry Lambert: Tennessee 41, NC State 24
Nico Iamaleava sure did deliver in his first home start, didn’t he? Now he gets to try again against a power four opponent with NC State this weekend. Iamaleava has received plenty of praise this week, and for good reason. Tennessee just flat out looked different, even if it was a cupcake on the schedule.
The biggest concern I have going into this one is the secondary, which we still don’t really know much about. Grayson McCall and company will bring a test, but at the end of the day I think the Volunteers can simply outscore the Wolfpack.
Connor Sexton: Tennessee 34, NC State 17
We all saw what Nico lamaleava did last Saturday against Chattanooga. 300-plus yards in just one half, a great build-off of his Citrus Bowl performance against one of the top defenses in the country in the form of lowa. If Nico can continue his accurate throws and timely reads, then the Vols should handle this game with a fair amount of ease. Reasons for a big Vol victory would also include Tennessee’s potent rushing attack and defensive line; considered one of the best in the country and for good reason. Of course, this matchup could be tricky with NC State’s transfer QB Grayson McCall’s potential to put up big numbers. The Big Orange must contain star Kevin Concepcion, ACC Rookie of the Year in
2023. Those things aside, the Wolfpack struggled mightily last week to come back and win at home against Western Carolina. Was it a sleepwalk? Or was it a sign of things to come?
The line has shifted even more in UT’s favor in the last few days, and I agree with that trend.
Tennessee is simply more locked in. Take the Vols not only winning but covering the point spread.
Nick Carner: Tennessee 38, NC State 21
Tennessee’s offense sure looked good against Chattanooga, but more importantly it looked clean and efficient. It looks like Nico already has chemistry with Brazzell and Thornton, Jr., and I imagine we’ll see more Squirrel White against NC State. Dylan Sampson was dynamic, and I figure he looks even more so when the staff really utilizes him in a receiving role.
It was good to see Joshua Josephs, Caleb Herring and Jordan Ross make plays, but let’s hope James Pearce gets a little more involved.
NC State likely comes out sharper than they did against Western Carolina, and this week the back seven will be tested having to worry about McCall’s running and finding somebody to cover Concepcion.
Tennessee always travels, and one would like to see at least a 50-50 crowd split in Charlotte. This is just Nico’s third start, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see a mistake or two. Either way, I don’t think the Wolfpack will be able to keep up.
Craig Smith: Tennessee 45, NC State 20
It’s all about weapons in this game, and Tennessee just has too many. I didn’t see a Wolfpack defense that was worth a squat last week against Western Carolina, save the last part of the fourth quarter. Nico Iamaleava and the tempo of the Tennessee passing game is going to absolutely smother the NC State defense, and the Vols will flirt with a delicious fifty burger late in the second half.
On the other side of the ball, Tennessee’s defensive line will continue rolling in dudes and wearing out the NCSU offensive front.
Vols make a big statement in Charlotte. This team will show it’s different than last year.
Matthew Seese: Tennessee 38, NC State 21
This not being a true road game benefits the Vols, and especially Nico. Sure, it’s Chattanooga, but we haven’t seen a quarterback make the timing throws with the velocity and accuracy that Nico did last week in a very, very long time.
Defensively, it’s still up in the air. This is the wait and see test for that unit, but NC State certainly didn’t wow anyone last week as they squeaked by Western Carolina late in a game they were trailing after three quarters, and their pass defense was definitely an area of concern. If the Vols can shut down Jordan Waters on the ground, they’re putting themselves in a great place to win the game, which I think they will.
Win the middle 8, and you win the game. Expect a breakout game from Nico on Saturday.