By far, the biggest college football matchup this week sees #3 Texas take on #10 Michigan in Ann Arbor, but there is another high-stakes showdown in Charlotte, where #14 Tennessee and #24 NC State will face off Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium (7:30 pm ET, ABC).
The Volunteers (1-0) and Wolfpack (1-0) are both hoping to land a spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff, and a win in this SEC vs ACC showdown could prove to be pivotal.
Last week, Tennessee kicked off their season with a 69-3 win over Chattanooga. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was 22 of 28 for 314 yards and two scores, Dylan Sampson ran for 124 yards and three scores on a dozen carries, and the Vols piled up 714 yards against the Mocs, who managed only 227 total yards.
The Wolfpack also opened the season against an opponent from the FCS’s Southern Conference, but they had a more difficult time against Western Carolina in a 38-21 victory. The Catamounts led 21-17 entering the fourth quarter, but three unanswered touchdowns propelled NC State to the victory. Grayson McCall was 26 of 40 for 318 yards and three touchdowns in his NC State debut, Jordan Waters ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, and Kevin Concepcion caught nine passes for 121 yards and three scores.
Will offense be the order of the day in this matchup? Read on for a Tennessee vs NC State prediction and expert picks.
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Tennessee vs NC State Betting Analysis
Should there be some concern about how NC State will fare against Tennessee after their performance against Western Carolina?
The Catamounts are a solid team on the FCS level, but the Wolfpack should not have let them hang around as long as they did.
NC State ventured into Western Carolina without picking up any points on four occasions, with a McCall interception (which was returned deep into Wolfpack territory and set up the Catamounts’ first touchdown), two failed fourth-down attempts, and a stalled drive occurring.
But they came through when they needed to in the second half, finding the end zone on three straight possessions to take control and put the game out of Western Carolina’s reach.
It wasn’t pretty, but openers are a good opportunity to see what you have and what you need to work on. And what the Wolfpack have is an offense led by talent and experience at key positions, as shown as the numbers that McCall, Waters, and Concepcion put up against the Catamounts.
But the machine will have to run much more smoothly and efficiently to avoid trouble against Tennessee, who looks likely to be formidable on offense once again.
QB Joe Milton and RB Jaylen Wright are now in the NFL, as is Ramel Keyton, last year’s second leading receiver. But with Iamaleava, Sampson, and a host of talented receivers led by Squirrel White, the Vols are going to light up a lot of scoreboards this season, including the Bank of America scoreboard on Saturday.
Tennessee vs NC State Prediction & Picks
While the Vols are the better team and should come away with the win in Charlotte, a double-digit spread is sizable for a matchup between two ranked teams, even at a neutral venue.
NC State can put up some points as well, and their offense can keep them in the game with a chance to win.
At the same time, it could certainly go the other way if Tennessee really starts clicking on all cylinders. With that in mind, the spread is a no-go.
However, the over absolutely is a go, and there is also a prop pick on each side worth considering. Sampson should tote the rock a few more times than he did against Chattanooga, and his rushing yards total is very reachable even if he doesn’t get loose for a big one like he did against the Mocs. So is McCall’s passing yards total, which feels a little low given how much he may have to throw it against Tennessee.
Tennesse vs NC State Prediction: Tennessee to win
Tennessee vs NC State Picks: 1) Tennessee/NC State over 60.5 (-110 at BetOnline), 2) Dylan Sampson (Tennessee) over 71.5 rushing yards (-110 at BetOnline), 3) Grayson McCall (NC State) over 240.5 passing yards (-114 at BetOnline)
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Other College Football Betting Information
Where Can You Bet on College Football This Season?
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- College Football Betting Guide
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