No. 14 Tennessee and No. 24 NC State opened the season against opponents from the Football Championship Subdivision but enter Week 2 with much different vibes. The two College Football Playoff hopefuls, both ranked in the AP Top 25, meet Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a crucial early season showdown between the SEC and ACC.
If you missed it, NC State struggled against FCS Western Carolina in a 38-21 win that required the Wolfpack to rally from a 21-17 deficit in the fourth quarter. Tennessee trounced FCS Chattanooga 69-3 behind a super first half by quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who threw for 314 yards in the blowout.
One team lived up to expectations, while the other did not.
NC State was expected to be much more explosive offensively but struggled with veteran Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall until a three-touchdown outburst in the fourth quarter. The defense, particularly in the trenches, also had problems defending Western Carolina's rushing attack. Meanwhile, Tennessee looked elite on both offense and defense, an overlooked storyline for a Volunteers offense that usually steals the headlines.
Unsurprisingly, the line shifted further in favor of Tennessee this week.
Tennessee vs. NC State: Need to know
Big tests for new, old quarterbacks: McCall wasn't at his best last week. He completed 26 of 40 passes for 318 yards, but he missed several wide-open receivers and the offense stalled often in the first three quarters. We expect much more from the veteran, and we should get it in a big game against Tennessee. If the past is any measure, McCall steps up in big situations, as is evident by winning three straight Sun Belt Player of the Year honors and his fourth-quarter rally last week. He's a gamer, and we quickly forget he set the single-season record for passing efficiency in the FBS before Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels broke it last season. Still, outshining Iamaleava could prove difficult. The first-year starter lacks big-game experience but is more talented and has proven so with the 35-point drubbing of Iowa's top-five defense in last season's bowl game and the consistent performance last week against Chattanooga.
Kevin Concepcion is a monster: Tennessee's receivers may get all the attention, but NC State is stacked as well. Kevin "KC" Concepcion has caught at least seven passes in the last four games dating back to last season. He was electric last week, catching nine passes for three touchdowns and 121 yards. It's hard to imagine what NC State may have looked like against Western Carolina last week without the former freshman All-American. If he's hot early, Tennessee could be in trouble.
Which rushing attack is more potent? Just because both teams love to throw the ball doesn't mean the running game is ignored. The feeling here is that the best rushing attack will alleviate pressure off their quarterback and win the game. Last week, Jordan Waters rushed for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns to help NC State break the longest streak in the FBS without a 100-yard rusher (since 2021). Dylan Sampson picked up 124 yards and three touchdowns, finding big holes in the wide-split alignment of Tennessee's offensive line. The edge goes to Tennessee after NC State allowed an unacceptable 6.3 yards per carry last week against Western Carolina.
How to watch Tennessee vs. NC State live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 7 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium -- Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)
Tennessee vs. NC State prediction, picks
Tennessee never seems to have problems scoring, and that shouldn't be an issue against an NC State squad that appears to have taken a step back. The Vols scored on their first seven drives last week and Iamaleava completed 2 of 4 passes of more than 20 air yards. The Vols have too much firepower and a solid defense with multiple NFL prospects. If NC State struggles on offense early, Tennessee may pounce on a double-digit lead quickly. The Wolfpack need McCall and the receivers to step up for what could develop into a shootout. Pick: Tennessee -7.5
Which college football picks can you make with confidence in Week 2? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread -- all from a proven computer model that has returned over $2,000 in profit since its inception -- and find out.
