Tennessee Volunteers (1-0) vs. NC State Wolfpack (1-0)
September 7, 2024 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: NC State Wolfpack +5.5 / Tennessee Volunteers -5.5; Over/Under: +54.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Tennessee Volunteers and the NC State Wolfpack meet on Saturday in college football action from Bank of America Stadium. Here’s an NC State vs Tennessee prediction. We will be looking at this from a betting perspective and determining the best NC State vs Tennessee pick.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
Last year the Vols managed a 9-4 overall record and went on a 4-4 run in a tough SEC. Tennessee would earn third place in the East Division with that mark, behind Georgia and Missouri. The Volunteers cruised to a 35-0 blowout win over Iowa in their Citrus Bowl matchup to finish on a high note.
In their first game of the season versus Chattanooga, the Volunteers scored double-digit points in every quarter during a 69-3 blowout win. QB Nico Iamaleava had 314 yards and three scores. Dylan Sampson topped the rushers with 124 yards and three touchdowns of his own.
NC State Wolfpack Betting Preview
Over on the NC State side, they managed to go 9-4 overall last year, with a slightly better conference record of 6-2. The Wolfpack finished behind Florida State and Louisville in the ACC standings. In the Pop-Tarts Bowl versus Kansas State, the Wolfpack fell 28-19.
NC State played the Western Carolina Catamounts back on Thursday. In that one, the Wolfpack scored 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points for a 38-21 victory. QB Grayson McCall finished with 318 yards and three scores, while Jordan Waters rushed 20 times for 123 yards and two TDs.
Why the NC State Wolfpack will win
- NC State has won four of its last five games as an underdog.
- Tennessee has lost three of its last four games against AP-ranked teams.
- NC State has covered the spread in four of its last five games as an underdog.
- Tennessee has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight September games against AP-ranked teams.
Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win
- Tennessee has won each of its last 11 games against non-conference opponents.
- NC State has lost each of its last four games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Tennessee has covered the spread in 10 of its last 11 games against non-conference opponents.
- NC State has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
- Tennessee has won the first half in each of its last 11 games against non-conference opponents.
- Tennessee has won the first quarter in 20 of its last 24 games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of NC State’s last seven games as an underdog against top-15 AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of Tennessee’s last eight September games against AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- NC State ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q4 points per game this season (21.0).
- NC State ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Tennessee ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Tennessee ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
NC State vs Tennessee Prediction
I might take a stab at NC State but in reality, it’s a coin flip to me. The Wolfpack took a while to really get going against Western Carolina in their opener but ultimately produced a pretty nice offensive outing. NC State mustered 521 total yards (318 passing) with 28 first downs and a 7-of-13 rate on third-down tries. That said, Tennessee (obviously) will be a significant uptick in opposing talent.
Speaking of the Vols, in their first game they blew an overwhelmed Chattanooga team out of the water with a whopping 718 yards (414 passing), 36 first downs, and 8.0 yards per play. Tennessee was great on defense as well, holding the Mocs to just 1-of-14 on third downs and 3.8 yards per play. NC State will be a tougher customer and I think the Wolfpack will eke out a cover. That said, you could easily make a case for Tennessee after that dominant opener.
