Tennessee Vols game listed among the 'most anticipated' games of the 2024 season
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 most anticipated non-conference game of the season. From 247Sports: Some of the offseason love will evaporate for […]
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 most anticipated non-conference game of the season.
From 247Sports: Some of the offseason love will evaporate for the loser of this game at Bank of America Stadium. The Wolfpack and Vols each won nine games in 2023, but they're going to look very different. NC State's roster is portal-infused with a top 10 haul this cycle, while Tennessee is giving the keys to its offense to former five-star signee Nico Iamaleava, who threw a pair of touchdown passes in his team's blowout win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.
The game against NC State is obviously a must-win for the Vols. Tennessee is hoping to compete for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024. And a loss to NC State would essentially mean that the Vols would need to get through the SEC schedule unscathed to lock in a spot in the expanded playoff.
At the most, Tennessee can afford two "quality" losses next fall and still have a shot to reach the playoff. Losing on September 7 in a neutral site game to an ACC opponent would create quite an uphill battle for the Vols. It will be a huge start for true freshman Nico Iamaleava, who will take over as Tennessee's starting quarterback in 2024. And it makes the experience that Iamaleava received in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa look even more important.
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