Tennessee football vs NC State score prediction, scouting report for Week 2 game
Tennessee football is headed into its first nonconference game and only neutral-site of the regular season.
The No. 12 Vols (1-0) face No. 23 NC State (1-0) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Here is what to know about the matchup:
Bru McCoy is back and dangerous for Tennessee football
Bru McCoy made his return for the Vols against Chattanooga, returning to the field after suffering a gruesome right ankle injury against South Carolina in October 2023.
The senior had a team-high six catches for 89 yards against the Mocs.
"It’s just really refreshing to see him," wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope said. "Really he’s got a step or two that I don’t think he had before. He’s lost a ton of weight coming back from the injury, but it was just awesome to see him back and in rare form."
McCoy opted to return to Tennessee after his season-ending injury. He had 17 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown prior to the injury.
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NC State has a star wide receiver in Kevin Concepcion
Kevin Concepcion started well in 2024 after an electric freshman season at NC State.
The 5-foot-11, 189-pound Concepcion had three touchdowns and 121 yards receiving on nine catches against Western Carolina.
"They do a really good job of moving around and finding space for him to work and operate," Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. "He's strong and explosive. We have to know where he is throughout the course of the football game."
Concepcion was the ACC Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023. He caught 71 passes for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns. He set Wolfpack freshman records for catches and touchdowns, while earning second-team All-ACC honors.
Max Gilbert just kicked it in his Tennessee football debut
Kicker Max Gilbert made his Tennessee debut against Chattanooga. He was flawless, booting a 36-yard and a 42-yard field goal. He made all five extra-point attempts.
“I like his competitive makeup," Heupel said. "Very confident, comfortable no matter what situation that we’ve put him in. Obviously game day’s a different deal, but really solid. So he’s got a smooth swing. He’s consistent and (we) trust him."
Gilbert redshirted in 2023 behind senior Charles Campbell.
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How Tennessee football has fared in neutral-site games under Josh Heupel
Tennessee has a 3-1 mark in neutral-site games under Heupel, including a 1-0 record in regular-season neutral-site games. The Vols have won three straight since losing in the Music City Bowl to Purdue at the end of the 2021 season.
UT beat Virginia 49-13 in its 2023 season opener in Nashville in its lone regular-season neutral-site game. It has won bowl games in Florida in back-to-back seasons, handling Clemson 31-14 in the Orange Bowl in 2022 and crushing Iowa 35-0 in the Citrus Bowl last season.
Tennessee score prediction vs NC State
Tennessee 45, NC State 20: The Vols roll the Wolfpack to move to 2-0 this season. Nico Iamaleava was excellent in his first start in a neutral-site game against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. He will do it again.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee-NC State score prediction: Will Vols roll Wolfpack?
