Summit Meeting in Charlotte: Tennessee vs. NC State in Week 2

The matchup between Tennessee and NC State on Saturday is one of only two duels between ranked opponents in the Week 2 schedule. For both teams, it is the first real challenge after facing FCS teams in Week 1. In the neutral stadium in Charlotte, the Volunteers are heading into the race as clear favorites with more than a touchdown advantage. While Tennessee swept over Chattanooga the previous week, NC State had to surprisingly fight hard against Western Carolina before they decisively pulled away in the fourth quarter. This performance was a small stumbling block for the Wolfpack, who are hoping to be competitive in the seemingly wide-open ACC this year. Quarterback Grayson McCall, who made his debut for NC State after transferring from Coastal Carolina, finished last week's game with a solid 318 yards and three touchdowns. However, he took some time to find his rhythm. Against Tennessee, he now faces a significantly stronger opponent, but the Volunteers have often struggled against top quarterbacks in recent years. Therefore, the game on Saturday will be an insightful test for both teams. On the Volunteers' side, first-time starter Nico Iamaleava seamlessly led the offense in continuity with last season by throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns. This performance culminated in an impressive 69-point display. Tennessee’s offense ranked among the top 20 last year in terms of total yardage and averaged over 31 points per game. NC State’s defense was one of the best units in the country last year, allowing few big plays, but showed some weaknesses against an FCS team this year. Tennessee’s tempo and explosiveness will pose a significant challenge, especially if Iamaleava can replicate his Week 1 performance.