National media picks for No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 North Carolina State

A closer look at picks from the national media for No. 14 Tennessee (1-0) against No. 24 North Carolina State (1-0) on Saturday night (7:30 Eastern Time, ABC) in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte:

On3 College Football Analyst JD Pickell: Tennessee -7.5

JD Pickell: “It has to feel good to see them rev the engine a little bit. Because here’s the deal, you don’t play Chattanooga next week. You play NC State. And NC State, a Dave Doeren coached outfit, they’re going to be good defensively. They’re going to be a tough out. It’s not a situation where you can just flip the switch and say, oh, OK, now we’ll put it together. In that game, like if Nico had gone out there and struggled, you say, alright, first game, first start as the guy, you give him some margin to build and get better. 

“But for that to be the jumping off point to him, for him to be that that composed and that definitive in his decision making, that’s going to, I think, set you up for success and makes you feel a lot better going into the NC State game. Pulling the trigger, like we talk about, that composure, the confidence, to me that’s a muscle that you have to work out and stretch and flex and utilize to get good at. He’s very clearly done that behind closed doors and gotten his fair share of reps in and it paid off (against Chattanooga), getting some war reps with live bullets.” 

On3 College Football Columnist Jesse Simonton: Over 60.5

Jesse Simonton: This line has been steamed from Tennessee -6.5 to the Vols being pegged as nearly a two-score favorite after Nico Iamaleava dazzled in his 2024 debut, while NC State was in a battle with FCS Western Carolina deep into the fourth quarter … pass rusher James Pearce, who barely played against Chattanooga, could have a big day against an NC State OL that allowed six hurries versus WCU. With both offenses likely to play tempo and both secondaries suspect, I expect scoreboard fireworks in Charlotte.”

ESPN College Football Reporter Pete Thamel: NC State +7.5

Pete Thamel: “I really think this is all set up, classically set up, for NC State to vulture a home win here. And the player of the game will be Kevin Concepcion, the outstanding sophomore receiver from NC State, one of the best young receivers in the country. Tennessee’s glaring weakness is in the secondary. Give me the Pack.”

Fox Sports College Football Analyst Joel Klatt: Tennessee 45, NC State 21 

Joel Klatt: “If one half, (Iamaleava) looked like the real deal. If he’s that type of guy, they will revert back to 2022 Tennessee, and then all of a sudden they’re a contender. Meanwhile, NC State struggled mightily. They were trailing entering the fourth quarter against FCS Western Carolina. I mean, I don’t love it. I don’t love their matchup. And I really, really like Tennessee.”

ESPN College Football Analyst Dan Mullen: NC State +8.5

Dan Mullen: The former Mississippi State and Florida head coach turned ESPN analyst picked Tennessee to win the game, but picked NC State to cover. The Vols started the week as a 5.5-point favorite on Saturday night according to The Action Network. The line moved to as much as Tennessee -10 before being back to Tennessee -9 on Friday afternoon.

Greg McElroy: Tennessee

Greg McElroy: “Tennessee is 10-1 against the spread in non-conference games since 2022. That includes four straight covers, and Tennessee they’re also 1-4 straight up against the spread in their last five games against ranked opponents. So, two very different numbers there … I think (the Vols have) a little more firepower and I think they will avoid a costly mistake. And really I think it’s the pass rush of Tennessee that’s going to ultimately win them this game.”