Tennessee vs. NC State: Picks, odds, how to watch: Can Nico Iamaleava pass his first big test?
Saturday’s game between Tennessee and NC State is one of only two games between seeded opponents on the Week 2 schedule and the first major test for both after playing FCS opponents in Week 1. The Volunteers are more than just a touchdown favorite in the neutral-site game being played in Charlotte.
While Tennessee absolutely steamrolled Chattanooga last week, NC State had a surprisingly tough game against Western Carolina before pulling away late in the fourth quarter. It was a slightly unsettling start for the Wolfpack, who hope to compete in the suddenly wide-open ACC.
Quarterback Grayson McCall, making his debut with the Wolfpack after transferring from Coastal Carolina, finished last week’s game with a solid 318-yard, three-touchdown performance, but it took him a few quarters to really find his rhythm. While Tennessee is a much tougher opponent than Western Carolina, the Volunteers have struggled against top quarterbacks in recent years. Saturday will be a good test for both teams.
On the Tennessee side, freshman Nico Iamaleava helped the Volunteers offense pick up where it left off last season, throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns while scoring 69 points. The Volunteers offense was in the top 20 in total yards last year and averaged over 31 points per game.
NC State’s defense was one of the better in the country a year ago and didn’t allow many big plays, but it really struggled against an FCS team earlier this season. Tennessee’s speed and explosiveness will be a big challenge, especially if Iamaleava repeats his Week 1 performance.
All Odds from BetMGM. Looking for College football game tickets? Find them here.
Odds for No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State
How to watch Tennessee at NC State
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday
- TV: ABC
- Streaming: Watch live on Fubo (Save $30)
Expert tips against the spread
Read more college football coverage for week two
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College Football Tips Against the Spread: Bruce Feldman’s Predictions for Week 2
(Photo by Nico Iamaleava: Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images)