After a blowout win over Chattanooga a week ago, things get real for Tennessee football this Saturday when they head to Charlotte to face No. 24 NC State in the Duke’s Mayo Classic.
Each week, the RTI team will provide game predictions for Tennessee’s matchup.
We move on to the North Carolina State Wolfpack.
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Ric Butler
I spent a lot of this fall being more concerned about this game than I am today. They say to never make too big of judgment from FCS opponents, which is what Tennessee and NC State both faced last weekend, but the outcomes were just so lopsided in comparison. NC State needed a fourth-quarter comebacke to defeat Western Carolina while Tennessee had Chattanooga down 45-0 after just two quarters.
When it comes to defenses prepared to stifle Tennessee, I’m not sold that NC State is the one to throw Nico Iamaleava off his game. DC Tony Gibson does have a lot of Big 12 experience under his belt, but Tennessee is unlike anything NC State has seen, especially with the newcomers in the program. I also think that from an offensive perspective, this is the one that Josh Heupel has been preparing for. It’s hard not to believe that Tennessee doesn’t have most of their tricks still up their sleeve and that we’ll see a few of them come out this weekend.
I’m picking a bit of a high-scoring game here because I still think Tennessee’s secondary is unproven but will face a legitimate test with QB Grayson McCall and WR KC Concepcion. With those two guys alone, you’re talking about a wide receiver with versatile, skilled athleticism ready to be used around the field and a quarterback who doesn’t lack experience or bravery. NC State’s offense isn’t going to be rattled by Tennessee, but I do think they’ll struggle to keep up with the Vols’ offense despite being able to put up points themselves.
While speaking to the media this week, Gibson noted the importance of the first quarter and not allowing Tennessee’s offense and Iamaleava to find their groove. Tennessee, meanwhile, has been effective at jumping out on opponents in the Josh Heupel era with a clear emphasis on an overwhelming strategy right off the bat. That’ll be one area I’ll be keyed into on Saturday: does NC State’s defense bring out something that stifles Iamaleava early on or does Tennessee’s high-tempo offense pick up steam out of the gates?
Again, I like NC State to put points on the board this game, but I don’t see an easy route in keeping up with Tennessee’s offensive production. I’m not a gambler myself, but I’d like the over here.
Prediction: Tennessee 38, NC State 24
Jack Foster
It was a tale of two Week 1s for Tennessee and NC State last week. The Vols rolled a Top 10 FCS team, Chattanooga, 69-3, nearly covering the spread by double, while the Wolfpack trailed entering the fourth quarter against an FCS team, Western Carolina, that was picked to finish behind Chattanooga in the SoCon.
Granted, NC State turned it on in the final quarter and scored three touchdowns en route to a 17-point victory, but Tennessee gave no reason in its Week 1 performance to temper expectations for this season.
I’m picking Tennessee to win this game and to win it big. The reasons why are simple. NC State’s offensive line is no match for Tennessee’s defensive front. It will be a rough day at the office for Wolfpack signal caller Grayson McCall.
NC State’s defense has also taken a step back from what its been in years past. NC State head coach Dave Doeren has always had a proud defensive unit, and they’ll probably be a top-half unit in the ACC. But it won’t be able to hold Tennessee’s versatile offense under 30 points, which is mandatory if NC State wants to win this game.
Lastly, the real matchup to watch in this game is NC State’s receivers, specifically Kevin “KC” Concepcion, against Tennessee’s untested secondary. Concepcion will likely have a good game. He’s one of the best receivers in the league. But if Concepcion is the only thing working for the NC State offense, Tennessee will be just fine, and that will be the case Saturday in Charlotte.
Vols make a statement in the Duke’s Mayo Classic as Nico Iamaleava dazzles once again, setting the stage for a week of overwhelming praise and hype to follow.
Prediction: Tennessee 41, NC State 17
Ryan Schumpert
Tennessee aced its glorified scrimmage last week to open the season and now the test gets much harder as they face No. 24 NC State. The Wolfpack also had what should have been a glorified scrimmage on their schedule last week, but they ended up needing a fourth quarter comeback to get past Western Carolina.
NC State went heavy on transfers this offseason and it looked particularly clunky on the offensive side of the ball where Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall struggled to get into a rhythm for much of the game. The one receiver that he had no issues getting into a rhythm with was reigning ACC Rookie of the Year Kevin Concepcion. And that is one of the big storylines I’m tracking in this game. NC State has a talented group of pass catchers and Tennessee’s unproven secondary went untested a week ago.
But while how Tennessee’s secondary holds up is a question mark, its defensive line is not. The Vols think they have one of the best front fours in the country and NC State’s offensive line struggled against a SoCon opponent last week. Tennessee should control the defensive line of scrimmage and that minimizes a lot of concerns that I have about its issues in the back end.
Offensively, Tennessee is facing a defense that’s traditionally quite strong under Dave Doeren but is breaking in a number of new starters in the defensive backfield. Maybe I’m too bullish on what Tennessee did last week, but I think this is a top 10 offense again and that makes me think 30 points is the floor in this one for the Vols.
But I think Tennessee will be able to line up and run it successfully to keep NC State off balance. With that, the Vols get to 40 and cruise in this one.
Tennessee 41, NC State 24
