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.
During Tennessee’s bye week, let’s take a look at how the Vols’ 2024 opponents performed in the fifth week of the season.
Week 1 Opponent: Chattanooga
Chattanooga got their first win of the season at home, beating Portland State 40-35.
Chattanooga is now 1-3 and will travel to ETSU in Week 6.
Week 2 Opponent: NC State
NC State defeated the FCS powerhouse Northern Illinois Huskies 24-17. Northern Illinois upset Notre Dame earlier in the season, but they have followed their top-10 win with back-to-back losses to Buffalo and NC State. NC State won the turnover battle 4-0 in the matchup. Wolfpack freshman CJ Bailey remains the quarterback as Grayson McCall deals with an undisclosed injury. McCall was seen throwing in pregame warmups at Clemson in Week 3, but NC State head coach Dave Doeren is not willing to discuss his injury status going into their Week 6 matchup against Wake Forest.
NC State is now 3-2 and will face the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest in Week 6.
Week 3 Opponent: Kent State
Kent State has pushed their losing streak to five as they lost to conference opponent Eastern Michigan 52-33. The Golden Flashes have an open date in Week 6. They look to gain their first win of the season.
Kent State falls to 0-5 and will play Ball State at home in Week 7 after their open date in Week 6.
Week 4 Opponent: Oklahoma
Oklahoma took down Auburn with a fourth-quarter comeback in Jordan-Hare Stadium, winning 27-21. Oklahoma forced a three-and-out on the first drive, followed by Sooner freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins erupting for a 48-yard touchdown run in their first offensive possession. The Sooner offense was shut down the rest of the half and would go into halftime down 14-7. The deficit was 21-10 in the fourth quarter before a Hawkins 60-yard completion to JJ Hester to get down to the 5 yard-line. This play was followed by back-to-back rushes for Jovantae Barns for an Oklahoma touchdown to make it a one-score game. The Sooner defense responded with a score of their own. Linebacker Kip Lewis intercepted a Payton Thorne pass and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown. Oklahoma came into the game down many starters due to injury but hung its hat on the defensive side of the ball to grit out a win.
Oklahoma is now 4-1 with its lone loss to Tennessee and will have a bye week before the Red River Rivalry against No. 2 ranked Texas in Week 7.
Week 5: BYE WEEK
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Week 6 Opponent: Arkansas
Arkansas went on the road to face off with Texas A&M and lost a tight game to the Aggies 21-17. The Aggies were without starting quarterback Connor Weigman once again due to injury. Nashville native (Montgomery Bell Academy) Marcel Reed got his third consecutive start for the Aggies. Arkansas won the first quarter 14-7 but did not score again in the game until a field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter to take a 17-14 lead. This would be their last score of the game, as A&M responded with a touchdown to take a 21-17 lead. Both teams were held scoreless the rest of the way, as the Aggies would come away with a 21-17 win.
Arkansas fell to 3-2 in a tough road defeat and will host #4 Tennessee in Week 6.
Week 7 Opponent: Florida
Florida did not have a game in Week 5.
Florida will host in-state opponent UCF in Week 6.
Week 8 Opponent: Alabama
Alabama hosting Georgia was clear and far the game of the week as the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs 41-34 in head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first SEC game, and it was an absolute thriller. The Crimson Tide dominated the first half, jumping out to a 28-0 lead. This was large in part due to a dominant performance by quarterback Jalen Milroe. Georgia scored their first touchdown on a Trevor Etienne run to cut it to 28-7 before Alabama tackled Georgia in the end zone for a safety to make it 30-7 at halftime. Smart and his Georgia team responded in the second half, with quarterback Carson Beck throwing for three touchdowns. His third touchdown pass took a 34-33 lead over Alabama, as it was a 67-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Bell which was the lone play in the touchdown drive. Alabama responded with a one-play drive of their own with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to freshman sensation Ryan Williams. Williams was the game’s leading receiver with six catches, 177 yards, and one touchdown. The dual-threat Milroe threw for 374 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Milroe combined for 491 yards and four touchdowns. DeBoer made a statement by taking down Georgia in his opening conference game in the SEC.
Alabama is 4-0 and will have a bye week in Week 6.
Week 9: BYE WEEK
Week 10 Opponent: Kentucky
Kentucky went to Oxford and upset Ole Miss 20-17. Much like its game against Georgia, Kentucky hung its hat on its defense once again, this time able to come away with the win and take down the Rebels. Kentucky controlled the clock, having possession of the ball 39 minutes and 43 seconds, compared to Ole Miss’ 20 minutes and 17 seconds. Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff threw for 243 yards and one touchdown, completing 18 passes on 28 attempts. Ole Miss had a field goal attempt to tie the game with 48 seconds, but kicker Caden Davis missed the 48-yard field goal, and Kentucky kneeled the clock out.
Kentucky is now 3-2 and will have a bye week before hosting Vanderbilt in Week 7.
Week 11 Opponent: Mississippi State
Mississippi State fell to the Texas Longhorns 35-13. The Bulldogs have had a miserable season so far and fell to backup quarterback Arch Manning while Quinn Ewers remains injured. Mississippi State kept the first half close, as the score at halftime was 14-6. Texas ran away with it in the second half, stretching the lead to 28-6 before ending the game 35-13.
The Bulldogs are now 1-4 on the season as they head into the open date this weekend.
Week 12 Opponent: Georgia
As previously stated, Georgia was on the losing end of the game of the year so far in college football. The Bulldogs struggled to put any form of complete football on the field in the first half with struggles on offense and defense. Kirby Smart made some important halftime adjustments, though, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Georgia scored 19 straight points in the fourth quarter to take the 34-33 lead but Alabama freshman Ryan Williams together a 75-yard game-winning touchdown with two minutes left.
No. 5 Georgia will host rival Auburn this weekend in Athens.
Week 13 Opponent: UTEP
Much like Tennessee, UTEP had an open date in Week 5.
The 0-4 Miners return to action on Thursday night against Sam Houston.
Week 14 Opponent: Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt had an open date after nearly upsetting No. 7 Missouri on Sept. 21.
The Commodores’ bye week rest comes at a good time as Vanderbilt is set to host No. 1 Alabama this Saturday afternoon in Nashville.
