.png)
_edited_edited.png)
The slogan leading up to the Tennessee Volunteers’ 2024 season is simple: “It’s Nico Time in Tennessee!” Head coach Josh Heupel’s first five-star quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, will lead the Volunteers on offense in 2024. Iamaleava replaces Joe Milton who has moved on to the NFL. If Nico’s performance against Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl is any indication, the redshirt freshman is up to the challenge.
Below are the predictions of the outcomes of each of Tennessee’s 2024 games.
Week 1: Chattanooga Moccasins
The teams have only met twice before, with Tennessee winning both games. The Mocs are a mid-level FCS program that went 8-5 in 2023 and lost in the second round of the FCS playoffs. It should be a big win for Tennessee.
Record: 1-0
Week 2: North Carolina State Wolfpack (Charlotte, N.C.)
The Vols are 2-1 against NC State, with Tennessee winning the last matchup 35-21 in 2012. NC State brings in former Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall to run an offense that returns eight starters. While this neutral site game will be in North Carolina, the Vols travel very well and will make it feel like a Tennessee home game. The Vols will win a close one against a solid Atlantic Coast Conference opponent.
Record: 2-0
Week 3: Kent State Golden Flashes
This will be the first-ever meeting of these schools. Kent State finished 2023 with a 1-11 record. The Golden Flashes are rebuilding and do not realistically stand a chance against Tennessee.
Record: 3-0
Week 4: at Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners lead the head-to-head matchup 3-1. This will be the Vols' second-ever trip ever to Norman, Okla. Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold looks to continue the trend of great Sooner offenses while third-year head coach Brent Venables looks to shore up the defensive side of the ball. This is the Sooners’ first game as a member of the Southeastern Conference, and the Vols will welcome the Sooners with an "L."
Record: 4-0
Week 5: Bye
Week 6: at Arkansas Razorbacks
This will be the 20th overall meeting between the Vols and Hogs, with Tennessee holding a 13-6 advantage. The good news for the Razorbacks is they return 17 starters from last year’s team. The bad news is the team finished 4-8. Unfortunately for Arkansas, two players who left were offensive stars, quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Rocket Sanders. Former Boise State QB Taylen Green is the new starter for head coach Sam Pittman, but Tennessee has more talent and coaching than Arkansas. This contest will culminate with a second consecutive road win for the Vols.
Record: 5-0
Week 7: Florida Gators
Florida holds the lead in this series 32-21. The Gators have arguably the toughest schedule in the FBS in 2024. QB Graham Mertz and leading rusher Montrell Johnson are both back. Head coach Billy Napier’s offense averaged 409 yards per game in 2023 and 28 points per game. The Gators’ defensive front seven has a lot of size and could cause problems for the Tennessee run game. But the game is not in the Swamp, where Tennessee seems cursed. This game is at Neyland Stadium and should be a win for the Vols.
Record: 6-0
Week 8: Alabama Crimson Tide
Tennessee has more wins against Alabama than any FBS school, however, the Tide leads this series 59-39-7. Legendary coach Nick Saban has retired and former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer takes over. QB Jalen Milroe returns and should be settled into DeBoer’s offense by the time the Tide invades Neyland. The magic of Tennessee's win over the Crimson Tide in 2002 will soon be forgotten as Alabama will get the win.
Record: 6-1
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: Kentucky Wildcats
Legitimate rivalry series generally do not develop without closely contested games between teams over the years. So, the 84-26-9 advantage Tennessee holds over the Wildcats arguably disqualifies Kentucky from receiving the rival moniker in this series.
Head coach Mark Stoops interviewed for the Texas A&M job and was, according to some whispers, allegedly leaving. However, things fell apart in College Station, Texas, so Stoops is back for his 12th season with Kentucky. Former Georgia QB Brock Vandagriff and former Ohio State RB Chip Trayanum will bolster the Wildcats offense, but this will be yet another Tennessee victory.
Record: 7-1
Week 11: Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Vols won the last meeting between these teams in 2019 to improve to 29-16-1 against the Bulldogs. First-year head coach Jeff Lebby looks to bring an offensive-oriented philosophy back to Mississippi State. Former Baylor QB Blake Shapen is tasked with running Lebby’s up-tempo offense. The Bulldogs have undergone many changes, and Lebby brings a glimmer of hope to the Mississippi State fans, but this one will be a Tennessee win.
Record: 8-1
Week 12: at Georgia Bulldogs
In 2016, Tennessee led this series 23-21-2. However, seven straight wins by Georgia shifted the series lead to the Dawgs, who now lead 28-23-2. Head coach Kirby Smart returns 14 starters including Heisman hopeful QB Carson Beck. At Sanford Stadium, the Dawgs are virtually unbeatable and the Vols will leave Athens with a loss.
Record: 8-2
Week 13: UTEP Miners
The Volunteers and Miners have played only three times in the past, with Tennessee winning all three. UTEP finished 2023 with a 3-9 record and now turns to new head coach Scotty Walden. The top returning rusher for UTEP gained only 53 yards on the ground in 2023. This should be an easy win for the Vols.
Record: 9-2
Week 14: at Vanderbilt Commodores
This rivalry is a "rivalry" only because the two teams are in the same conference and located in the same state. The Vols are a whopping 80-33-5 against the Commodores. Vandy head coach Clark Lea is on the hot seat. and must get the Dores to a bowl game or his time could be up in Nashville, Tenn. Former New Mexico State QB Diego Pavia looks to improve the Vandy offense. Free safety CJ Taylor is a standout player in the secondary, but the Tennessee roster, top to bottom, is just too much for Vanderbilt to handle. The Vols will come out of Nashville with a big win.
Record: 10-2
Tennessee Volunteers Overview
Finishing 2024 with a 10-2 record should put the Vols in serious playoff discussions. Iamaleava should also be involved in discussions for the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award and other postseason accolades. Junior edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. will also be mentioned for postseason hardware such as the Lombardi Award. If the secondary can improve upon last season’s production, and if the offensive line can stay healthy, Tennessee can make a run for the College Football Playoff.
.png)
.png)
Comments