The Tennessee Vols‘ top non-conference game next fall was listed this week among the “most anticipated” non-conference games of the 2024 season.
247Sports ranked Tennessee’s matchup against NC State in Charlotte on September 7 as the No. 7
From 247Sports: The team that loses this game at Bank of America Stadium will lose some of the affection they had throughout the offseason. Though they will appear quite different, the Wolfpack and Vols each won nine games in 2023. With two touchdown passes in his team’s lopsided victory over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, former five-star signee Nico Iamaleava is leading Tennessee’s attack. Meanwhile, NC State’s roster is portal-infused with a top 10 haul this cycle.
The Vols must, of course, win their matchup with NC State. Tennessee wants to participate in the College Football Playoffs, which will feature 12 teams, in 2024. In addition, a defeat to NC State would effectively mean that the Vols would have to win the SEC schedule in order to guarantee a position in the expanded playoffs.
Tennessee can survive two “quality” losses at most next autumn and still have a chance to make the playoffs. The Vols would face a difficult task if they lost to an ACC opponent on September 7 in a neutral-site game. Nico Iamaleava, who will take over as Tennessee’s main quarterback in 2024, will have a fantastic debut. Furthermore, it highlights how significant Iamaleava’s Citrus Bowl experience versus Iowa was.
most anticipated non-conference game of the season.