Every week, Rocky Top Insider will go through Tennessee’s 2024 schedule and see how their past and present opponents performed the previous week of the college football season.
Before Josh Heupel’s return to Norman, let’s take a look at how the Vols’ 2024 opponents performed in the fourth week of the season.
Week 1 Opponent: Chattanooga
Chattanooga had a bye week in Week 3. They are currently winless at 0-3 and will host Portland State in Week 5, who is also 0-3.
Week 2 Opponent: NC State
NC State traveled to Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, walking away with a 59-35 loss. Clemson jumped on the Wolfpack early taking a 28-0 lead in the first quarter. The second quarter wasn’t much better, as the Tigers went into the half leading 45-7. NC State scored on their last three drives of the game making the score appear a little closer, however, Clemson was in control from start to finish.
The Wolfpack are now 2-2 and will host the Northern Illinois Huskies in Week 3. NC State will be tested in their FCS matchup, though, as the Huskies beat a top-10 Notre Dame team on the road in Week 2 but fell to Buffalo in Week 4.
Week 3 Opponent: Kent State
Kent State was on the road once again to face another top-10 opponent, as they traveled to Happy Valley for their contest against Penn State. The Golden Flashes were blanked, losing 56-0. Kent State slowed Penn State’s offense down early, with a first-quarter score of Penn State leading 7-0. Kent State couldn’t hold the ball for much time and forced their defense to be on the field the majority of the game, which led to Penn State opening up things in the second quarter, taking a 28-0 lead going into the half. After a rough first quarter for Penn State, they dominated this game. The Nittany Lions won the yards battle 718-67 and had 40 first downs compared to Kent State’s six.
Kent State is 0-4 and will open conference play hosting Eastern Michigan in Week 5.
Week 4 Opponent: Oklahoma
Oklahoma hosted the Vols in the marquee matchup of Week 4 and Tennessee came away with the road win 25-15. It wasn’t the typical Tennessee offense for Josh Heupel in his return to Norman, but he leaned on Tennessee’s defense and their dominant showing muffled the Sooners offensive attack. Tennessee opened up the game when wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. scored a 66-yard touchdown off of a great pass by quarterback Nico Iamaleava. This made it 10-3 with just seconds remaining in the first quarter. Tennessee’s defense continued to play lockdown defense, as the Volunteers went into the break leading 19-3. Oklahoma starting quarterback Jackson Arnold was benched in the last series before the half for backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., and would not return. Heupel trusted his defense and running game in the second half, electing to play more conservatively in an attempt to control the clock and time of possession. The Sooners struggled running the ball, gaining only 36 yards on 34 carries.
Tennessee picked up a big Week 4 road win to open SEC play and will have a bye week in Week 5 before they travel to face Arkansas in Week 6.
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Week 5: Bye Week
Week 6 Opponent: Arkansas
Arkansas traveled to Auburn in Week 4 and walked away with a 24-14 win to open conference play for the Razorbacks. The first half was low-scoring, as the only score of the half was an Arkansas touchdown on the third drive of the game. Arkansas went into the break up 7-0. It was a sloppy game for both offenses, as Auburn had five turnovers, and Arkansas two. Both Arkansas turnovers came from quarterback Taylen Green, who struggled to find his receivers, finishing with a stat line of 12/27 through the air for 151 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INT. Green, however, did use his legs to scramble for 80 yards.
Arkansas is 3-1 and will travel to Texas A&M in Week 5.
Week 7 Opponent: Florida
The Gators traveled to Starkville, Mississippi, and beat Mississippi State 45-28. Florida led 28-14 at the half. Mississippi State cut the deficit to 7 points early in the second half, but that’s as close as it would get for the Bulldogs. Florida responded with a touchdown, a forced fumble, and another touchdown to make it a 21-point differential. As the season progresses, so has the quarterback battle. After rotating series last week, Graham Mertz got the bulk of the snaps, and was very efficient completing 19 of his 21 attempts for 201 yards 3 TD, and a rushing TD. Freshman DJ Lagway was efficient as well, just without the volume, completing 7/7 passes but did not score a touchdown of his own.
Florida is now 2-2 and will have a bye in Week 5 before hosting UCF in Week 6.
Week 8 Opponent: Alabama
Coming off a good showing in Madison against the Wisconsin Badgers, Alabama had a bye week in Week 4. They will host Georgia in a Top 5 matchup from Tuscaloosa, AL, this weekend.
Week 9: Bye Week
Week 10 Opponent: Kentucky
Kentucky hosted Ohio in Week 4, defeating the Bobcats 41-6. The Wildcats led 17-0 at halftime and did not give up a touchdown until the fourth quarter. Kentucky scored all of their touchdowns through the ground game, as they ran for 206 yards on 41 carries, averaging exactly five yards per carry.
Kentucky moves to 2-2 and will travel to Oxford to take on #6 Ole Miss in Week 5.
Week 11 Opponent: Mississippi State
Mississippi State lost to Florida 45-28, making it back-to-back losses for the Bulldogs after losing to Toledo in the previous week. Mississippi State struggled to stop the Florida offense, giving up six touchdowns. The Gators ran for over six yards a carry, totaling 226 yards in the ground game. Florida also threw only two incomplete passes on 28 passing attempts.
Mississippi State is 1-3 and it will only get tougher from here, as they travel to face the top-ranked Texas Longhorns in Week 5.
Week 12 Opponent: Georgia
Georgia had a bye week in Week 4, as they prepare for battle with the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa this weekend.
Week 13 Opponent: UTEP
UTEP continued their winless season against Colorado State, losing 27-17. UTEP is still looking for consistent quarterback play and the passing game has struggled for the Miners through the early portion of the season.
The Miners are 0-4 and will have a bye week in Week 5 before taking on Sam Houston in Week 6.
Week 14 Opponent: Vanderbilt
After a disappointing loss to Georgia State in Week 3, the Commodores showed a fight in their Week 4 matchup against Missouri. Vanderbilt lost in double overtime to the top-10 ranked Tigers, but played them close the whole way. Vanderbilt took a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter, but that was the only lead they would have all game. It was a scoreless fourth quarter, as both teams went into overtime with a total of 20 points. In overtime, Vanderbilt got the ball first and scored a touchdown. Missouri responded with a one-play touchdown pass from Brady Cook to Luther Burden III. Missouri followed that with a field goal. The game was in Vanderbilts hands, as they had the ball with the opportunity to win with a touchdown, tie with a field goal, or lose with nothing. On their first series of downs, the Commodores got the first down. After this, they stalled with a 3-yard loss, and then an offensive pass interference made it 2nd and 28. Vanderbilt completed a pass to make it 3rd and 11 on the Missouri 13, however, an incomplete pass on third down made Vanderbilt go for three. Vanderbilt kicker Brock Taylor missed the 31-yard field goal attempt, as the Commdores’ upset bid fell short.
After the missed overtime field goal, Vanderbilt falls to 2-2 and has a bye week in Week 5 before hosting Alabama in Week 6.
