Fearless Prediction: Tennessee vs. NC State
The Fearless Prediction is back and better than ever after correctly picking Tennessee to beat Chattanooga. We haven’t done much research, but it appears that we were the only ones in America to get that winner right.
Editor’s note: Approximately 99.999% of the country picked Tennessee.
Bygones. With a new week begins a new challenge, and now the Fearless Prediction will tackle the Tennessee/NC State game in Charlotte. A matchup of nationally ranked teams to be played in an NFL stadium because neutral-site games are what we do now.
We used to be a proper, nonconference, on-campus society.
Tennessee was very impressive in its 69-3 victory over Chattanooga. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was tremendous, completing 22-of-28 passes for 313 yards and 3 scores, and he only played the first half. Those 313 yards are the most any Tennessee QB has ever thrown for in a half. The question Vols fans are asking this week isn’t whether Nico will win the Heisman Trophy, but how many?
His wide receiving crew of Dont’e Thornton Jr., Bru McCoy, Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell II and Squirrel White caught a combined 16 of Iamaleava’s tosses for 275 yards, with Thornton grabbing 2 of those TDs. That quartet has the potential to put up huge numbers this season. McCoy’s return is the most encouraging, as he showed no ill effects of the severe ankle injury which cost him the second half of the 2023 season.
Overall, Tennessee fans loved seeing Iamaleava use the middle of the field against the Mocs, a place Joe Milton rarely tested in 2023.
On the ground, Dylan Sampson looks primed and ready to roll, scoring 3 times and gaining 124 yards on only 12 carries.
Defensively, I’m not sure what we can take from a game against an FCS opponent, except that defensive lineman Tyre West appears prepared to take couple of steps forward. West had 2 tackles for loss, a sack and forced a fumble.
This was a near perfect start for the Volunteers. They certainly understand that most games will not be this effortless. And that upward climb gets steeper on Saturday night in Charlotte.
The Wolfpack are an 8-point underdog according DraftKings Sportsbook, a line that has increased in recent days. Maybe the Wolfpack’s performance gave reason for alarm. NC State beat Western Carolina 38-21, but they trailed entering the 4th quarter.
If State is going to upset Tennessee, they’ll need Coastal Carolina transfer QB Grayson McCall to play better than he did in his debut. McCall was good but not great, going 26-for-40 for 318 yards, 3 TDs and an INT versus the Catamounts.
McCall had a solid 4+ years in Conway, throwing for 88 TDs and over 10,000 yards. But he’s never had to play against a defense as good as what Tennessee will bring east. This will be his biggest test.
He will try to get the football to 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year KC Concepcion, who caught 9 passes for 121 yard and 3 TDs last week (after vowing to score 3 TDs before the game). On the ground, Duke transfer Jordan Waters is the top option. He had 2 scores and 123 rushing yards.
Defensively, this is a much different looking group thanks to transfers in the backfield. Earlier this week, DC Tony Gibson said what everyone already knew, that they haven’t seen anything like the speed of Tennessee’s offense. They’ll need to improve on the 6 missed tackles recorded against WCU.
Maybe the biggest concern for State lies with its offensive line facing Tennessee’s defensive line. James Pearce Jr., Omari Thomas, Elijah Simmons and West each didn’t play many snaps against the Mocs. Expect them to bring energy and physicality against the Wolfpack. The quicker they pressure McCall, the longer a night at will be for the Wolfpack.
Dave Doeren is now in this 12th season at State, but in November 2017 he met with then-Tennessee AD John Currie, and for a few hours it looked like he’d be the next Vols head coach. Doeren signed a contract extension with State instead and now is the program’s winningest coach.
Doeren has gone 82-58 with 4 9-win seasons. A victory over Tennessee would be one of the biggest of his coaching career. And it’s a moment State fans have been pining for, especially after both basketball programs made the Final Four, and the baseball team reached the College World Series. (Which is nice and all, but we know who actually won the CWS.)
But I don’t see that happening Doeren’s bunch breaking through Saturday night. Tennessee’s offense is too explosive, and NC State won’t be able to keep pace.
Fearless Prediction time …
Tennessee 38, NC State 24
If Iowa didn’t score and Chatt scored a field goal, how is NC State going to score 3 and half TD’s? Concepcion is good for 1 maybe. If Tennessee only scores 38, Nico sat down and Nico isn’t sitting with only a 2 TD lead. I don’t understand this prediction.
That’s because you aren’t very smart, let me help you out, dad. It’s called fearless prediction…fearless is listed in the dictionary between dumb and goofy. Vols by 45, Nico wins Heisman, book it…
We can’t book it yet. I sense some sarcasm, but its not completely far-fetched. Let’s see how Nico does Saturday.
Heisman perhaps but as far as NC St, no reason for this to be a close game in the end. They don’t have the defense or enough talent on offense to keep it close in the 2nd half. Sarcasm aside, UTV 49 – 17
Imagine being such a loser that you troll articles about other teams.
Imagine being such a loser that you only have one choice of articles
LOL little b itch boy is mad! And doesn’t even understand the definition of fearless. WHOO BOY the f ag is mad now!
Fearless-bold-daring-plucky-stouthearted
As opposed to timid-cowardly .or in your case pusillanimous
Nice comeback, pops. Surely you got more in the tank than this weak smack? Say this isn’t it as good as it gets…
Concepción will likely score more than once bc our secondary is garbage. NC State can’t block so it’s possible McCall has a bad day
Hey voltrain, that was my first thought as well. Obviously, we have a very high view of this UT team and a growing excitement about Iamaleava and this receiving corps, so we expect a bigger margin than 38-24. The main concern I have going into this game is not about the offense. I have great confidence Tennessee will put up AT LEAST 38 points, likely more. My concern is with the defensive secondary. I know they looked pretty good on Saturday but they’re it’s a completely new secondary. Yes, there are several transfers with experience, which will help, but they are unproven at Tennessee and against elite talent. Concepcion is MUCH better than anyone Chattanooga had and may be one of the better receivers we will face this season. I’m sure we will have a plan to keep him in check. I don’t think NC State has much outside of him.
All of that to say, it’s possible NC State could hit that 24 number by the end of the game and it could have a shoot-out kind of feel early if the defense isn’t making plays. I think the start will be a big key in this game. If Tennessee can get out to a multi-TD lead, the pressure will likely become too high. NC State came back to beat Western Carolina last week, but if they’re hoping for Tennessee to get worn out in the 4th quarter, they’re gonna be disappointed. I think we’re gonna have a pretty comfortable win in this one by the end of the day. Tennessee may have to make some adjustments on defense, but they’ll get enough stops to build a lead and win. This game could be close early in the 2nd half and end like this article suggests OR it could become a blow-out for Tennessee.
A well thought out response. Our defensive line and the scoreboard will force this to the air for their offense. Both our offense and defense have to have bad days for Nagl’s prediction to come true. Here, take this ticket for a complementary meal in the dinner car.
I d
I hope you’re right and I agree that Tennessee should win big. I think there will be a breaking point for NCState where the game gets away. I’d say the timing of that will likely tell us if the game ends 38-24 or 55-14.
NC State will be better this week. I thought McCall had a hit and miss game against Western. He will be better on Saturday. Concepcion is State’s best weapon on offense, UT will have to know where he’s at the whole game. I have a hard time seeing NC State keep up with UT both on Offense and Defense. The UT offense has some big time play makers, and the run game will be able to take advantage. I like UT winning big, 42-17. GO BIG ORANGE!!!
NCSU defense is better than demonstrated in Wk 1 but I still don’t think they have what it takes to slow down TN. The Pack offense won’t be able to keep pace with what they’ve shown so far. Vols win big.
NC State may have started slow last week which isn’t a real big surprise for a lot of teams to do in season openers. With transfers coming in (especially QB) and their first home game, nerves are normal. The thing Vol fans and the media need to look at is how they finished. The coaching staff got the players heads right and they wiped them out in the 4th.
I think UT wins but this game will be tougher than a lot of people think.
Exactly. No game is ever won in the first half. There will be a lot of feeling out early but one Josh unleashes Nico with all 11 gimmicks the Vols will bury state…
I’m really surprised at the support from the Dawgs here. But maybe there are some folks out there afterall that aren’t just homers and can analyze and form an opinion based on merit and not just fanaticism. Kudos.
Now to the game…I don’t think NCST can keep up. We didn’t even play most of our starting D-line, and our offense with Nico is just getting warmed up. The secondary is a concern as it still hasn’t been tested, but overall I think we just have too much talent on both sides. Vols 52-17.
Yeah-calling our offense gimmicky is being real supportive. Just like the Venezuelan gangs that takeover apartment buildings are supportive of the tenants. And how the sanctuary city of Athens is supportive of young women
But it is gimmicky oskie, it’s entire premise is on one principal – wide splits and tempo make the defense pick whether to overload the box and let a 1 on 1 match up happen or cover the receivers and leave running lanes open.
Any team that can stop the running game without extra players in the box wins….period. There is no plan B. If plan A fails you go 9-4.
But that’s ok, you would rather talk senseless drivel and politics, so by all means carry on.
The fact that you think splits or even the passing game is the focal point tells me you know nothing. I guess that’s why you’re on here 24/7 posting and not coaching though. Or doing any relevant career for that matter.
Obviously I should have chosen a career as a Special Ed teacher, I might have been able to save you.
Let me S L O W it down for you Oskie ol boi…wide splits and tempo (here’s the key part>>>) make the defense PICK…nothing in there says focal point.
I am curious though, is it possible for most of you vol fans to have a football discussion with anyone outside of UTV without taking it personal?
FCS teams only have 63 schollys. How much of the 4th quarter was due to less bodies and talent differential
You may be right Volbee, but the scary thing if you’re a NC State fan is this- when both teams were fresh, Western Carolina played right with the Wolfpack. It wasn’t until the 4th quarter, when WCU was hitting a wall (due to their lack of talented depth), that’s when NC State started dominating the game. And bear this in mind also, Western Carolina is in the same conference as Chattanooga and they’re picked to finish behind the Mocs. In other words, these games should have been very similar, but they weren’t similar at all. Tennessee destroyed Chattanooga and their starters didn’t even play in the 2nd half. NC State was losing to Western Carolina going into the 4th quarter and needed heroics down the stretch to win. That game wasn’t really over until NC State scored a touchdown with 6:33 to go that made the score 31-21. Once that happened, the last TD was academic. NC State allowed 361 yards and 21 points to an FCS team and was losing in the 4th quarter. I’m sure Wolfpack fans want to sugar coat that, but saying we should only consider the 4th quarter won’t make that go away.
Tennessee 38 NC State 24
I like the score prediction and think NC St will play much better than they did last week. Of course UT will likely play pierce, Big O and others a lot more than they did last week (Pierce only played about 10 snaps). Nico will likely see a few things that create some havoc but he will overcome. I might give UT one more score and nc st one less, something like 45-21.
Who’s Pierce? Pierce Brosnan playing for UT now?
Pearce is that guy who should have been suspended for the first game but is to valuable …not sure who Pierce is…
Pearce’s charges were dropped. Pearce proved he did have a valid drivers license and had updated tags but still had the temporary tag on the car. He paid the costs of the ticket for speeding. I’m certain he had the speed reduced in court. I’ve had my speed reduced in court and was able to take driving school on a ticket. Not uncommon. Etienne however had his DUI charged dropped but had to plead no contest on reckless driving and 3 other misdemeanors.
DUI. I know I don’t have to tell you what that means. Georgia fans are more than familiar.
This Pearce thing really has you torn up.
Not really vfl_88…just firing back to you and those that said Kirby has lost control. ETNs charges were dropped as well, as were 2 of the other 3 spring racing offenders, but they were ALL held out on opening day. And the worst offended, RaRa, was dismissed.
But that’s ok, while other fanbases have cooled their jets and simpply said Kirby is trying to do the roght thing, Vol fans have been and still are relentless while ignoring the fox in the henhouse.
If he paid the speeding offense I’m guessing that charge wasn’t dropped, just ignored in the tit for tat battle, yes?
At least he knows how to drive and isn’t six feet under like the GA kids who drive
^^^Case in point VFL88^^^
Sorry hu-mpy, I only get on this site when I have some down-time at work and unlike most people here, I seem to have actual work to do. So let me get this straight. You’re standing firm on speeding is the same as getting a D-U-I? And are upset that Pearce wasn’t suspended for week one because his spee-ding charge wasn’t held at the same level as a D-U-I?
This is from SDS 2 months ago :
Acco-rding to Chip To-wers of The Atlanta Jou-rnal-Constit-ution, Etienne’s charg-es were dism-issed as part of a pl-ea agreement. Etienne ple-aded no contest to a reck-less driving charge and guilty to charges of under-age poss-ession of alc-ohol, failu-re to maintain lane and a window-tint viol-ation.
Etienne received 12 months of pro-bation as a result of the agreement. He was also fined and will have to complete a subs-tance abu-se evaluation, 40 hours of community service and an alc-ohol risk red-uction program. The AJC notes Etienne may also be sub-jected to random dr-ug and alc-ohol screenings.
Silly me humper. I forgot how a speeding charge automatically warr-ants for someone to complete a subs-tance abu-se evaluation, 40 hours of community service and an alc-ohol risk reduction program. Good gol-ly. I need to get up to speed on my offenses.
I hope I don’t catch 7-10 years for jaywa-lking.
Don’t mind the dashes. I couldn’t figure out which word was putting my comment in moder-ation
My turn VFL88 my friend…
Tennessee star defensive end James Pearce Jr. was arrested for disobeying police instructions during a traffic stop on suspicions of speeding and driving on a suspended license, according to a Knoxville police.
He’s the third UT football player arrested or cited for driving-related incidents this season.
Pearce, 20, is one of college football’s top pass rushers. He was named AP All-SEC first team on Monday, and he’s a catalyst of the Vols’ defense heading into the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Iowa on Jan. 1.
Police clocked Pearce driving 63 mph in a 35 mph zone on Western Avenue in a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the KPD report said.
Police say the vehicle had expired North Carolina temporary tags, and Pearce failed to provide identification or proof of insurance. Police discovered that he had a suspended license in North Carolina.
Police said Pearce refused to follow instructions during the traffic stop. According to the report, Pearce was asked to turn off the vehicle and step out of it. But he had to be instructed multiple times before doing so. He then was told that his car would be towed and that he was to stand by assisting officers while police searched the vehicle. Pearce disregarded those instructions and walked toward the vehicle. Pearce then was arrested, and his vehicle was impounded, the report said.
He was charged with speeding, driving on a suspended license, failure to present insurance, registration improperly displayed and improper window tinting.
But like you saidm charges were dropped and all is good. BTW ETN was not charged for DUI regardless of how many times you say it is so, but it really doesn’t matter, Kirby properly dealt with the superstar while your superstar suited up and played. Not a good message to send by Josh. Hate to see him lose control of his program like Kirby has done.
Moving forward we should all disregard police instructions if we feel like it. After all they’re just instructions, it isn’t like they matter…
That’s good @VFL. He can get a DeLorean and drive it back to 1998 and see his team be relevant. Handy skill to have if you are a Vol lol
@ Dawgs2021 You’re not that smart, Great for UGA they are a fierce team, and they have been relevant in college football! but I swear all you can ever say is 1998 like it matters, dude The past is the past. well I guess you had one comment that didn’t say 1998, you said ” We can’t all plat Chattanooga LOL” The problem is you’re playing Tennessee Tech this week hahaha. Yeah never mind just stick to saying 1998 like it means anything anymore.
Kirkm. I’m surprised you have the amount of time to comment on this site while having that many cocks in your mouth during the day.
Pathetic. That’s you. You got bullied into having to change your name from Kirkm to Dawgs2021. And thought you were smart enough that nobody would notice. Except you posted the same exact retarded drivel that you still post to this day.
Rub those two brain cells together and see if you can spark up an original idea.
TN athletics has brought a national championship home more recently than Bama. Enjoy it.
Remind me who voltrainconnductor was before he changed his name? He’s still pretty pathetic too. Him and kirk should party together.
All jabbing aside VFL, good luck to your Vols this weekend. I don’t think they’ll need any luck as they should smoke NC St, but never the less, GBO
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. UT should win, but the secondary will be tested. The key to this game will be pass rush. To make this game a win TN must lay the hammer down hard and early; get the NC St quarterback rattled. It’s hard to pass laying flat on your back looking at the stars. TN’s offense should take care of itself. Don’t panic if the pass rush isn’t effective. This could be closer than you think. If TN gets into NC’s quarterbacks head early it could be an easy cruise. If not, it could be a struggle.
NC State can’t win without stacking the box. This plays straight into the hands of Heupel’s gimmicky offense, creating mismatches and exploiting. Tenn is too talented at the skill positions. Unless NC St D-line is as strong as Bama-UGa-Oh St-Tex, they will be exploited and dissected. UTV runs away and hides in the 2nd half.
Gotta get that “gimmicky” comment in there, eh? Believe what you will, that gimmick led the nation in yards per game (525.5 ypg) and scoring (46.1 ppg) in 2022. And even last season, when Milton overthrew about 75% of his long passes and couldn’t hit anyone on an out pattern, that gimmick still was top 20 in yards gained and scored 31pts per game, and beat a top 5 defense in its bowl game 35-0. Man, that’s some gimmick. :)
I get it in there because it is true. It is one dimensional with no backup plan. It will work very efficiently against most teams and it will destroy any team that cannot match up at the skill positions. It will fail against any team that can match up. Iowa ‘s team speed was abysmal, and minus one FCS game, their offense never broke 30 points and averaged <20. The only two teams they played on Tennessee's level beat them 57 to 0. The Iowa game was a perfect game to work Nico in, and to the young man's credit he did pretty darn good.
Let me finish by saying this, a gimmick can be a good thing if it works every time. Lethal QB plus lethal WRs will always be the key to success.
How about the gimmicky offense against NC State? I was a little nervous early but it turned out as I expected by the end. And that offense didn’t look quite so gimmicky in this one to me. The 3-3-5 defense slowed down the long throws for the most part, but Heupel and Nico adjusted and called a solid game.
Pi$$ poor prediction…. 45-13 vols
I think Nico is going to be really good this year, but this is a game where I don’t want him to be the focal point. Dave Doren is a quality defensive mind and they are good at confusing the QB and creating a lot of interceptions. In this game I want to see our veteran offensive line dominate and our running backs run for over 200.