Tennessee and North Carolina State seems like a great matchup. Both teams are ranked and hoping they can make the College Football Playoff. Both are stoked to play in a primetime matchup with all the pomp and circumstance that Duke’s Mayo can spread out. However, I just don’t see it.
If the Vols allow the Wolfpack to keep Saturday’s game close, I’ll be very surprised. I’m certainly not basing that off of last week. It’s hard to learn anything from the Vols’ 69-3 thumping of Chattanooga in Tennessee’s season opener. And while North Carolina State stumbled through its season opener against Western Carolina, I think the Wolfpack is a quality team, but not quality enough to scare the Vols.
Here are three predictions for the Tennessee-North Carolina State game and my prediction for the final score on Saturday at 7:45 EST.
James Pearce will have three tackles for a loss – minimum
The Vols’ superstar EDGE rusher only played in 10 snaps against Chattanooga last week and was often dropping into pass coverage. That won’t be the case this week as Tennessee lets him loose. North Carolina State’s pass protection is pretty good so making a trio of plays in the Wolfpack backfield would have a huge impact on the game.
Squirrel White will reel in over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown
If I’m a coach with North Carolina State embroidered on my garb, I’m going to do everything I can to take away Tennessee’s outside receivers, led by Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thornton last week. That would leave the middle of the field open where Squirrel will gather up at least 100 receiving yards and find the end zone at least once.
Tennessee will score ANOTHER special teams touchdown – or at least set one up
This will be the first game under coach Josh Heupel that Tennessee will have far more talent against a quality opponent since he took the Vols’ head coach position following the 2020 season. That will show up on special teams either via a punt or kickoff return, but could also result in another block for a touchdown, a la freshmen defensive end Jordan Ross’ fantastic play against Chattanooga last week.
Prediction
Tennessee 52, North Carolina State 17
Get ready for more national media to jump on the bandwagon. Some surely doubted quarterback Nico Iamaleava as he took over the Vols’ full-time starting role. That’s normal – if you don’t know Iamaleava. The redshirt freshman is already playing like an upperclassman. He’ll play spectacularly on Saturday, climb into the Heisman race for real and lead the Vols to a top 10 ranking next week.
