College Football podcasters predict Tennessee’s 2024 season
Last weekend, we ran a poll to get a general feel on how the Vols’ fanbase is feeling about the 2024 season. Unsurprisingly, the fanbase is feeling confident and excited for another season. While we’re always interested in getting our fanbase’s opinions, seeing what the other side thinks is just as interesting. So, today, I have a few special guests who have no affiliation or rooting interest in the Vols.
First off, we have the guys over at Three Tech Pod. The Three Tech Pod is a college football podcast that dives into the X’s and O’s of the game. Next, we have the guys over at Updog Sports Talk. Want to hear three guys banter about sports? They’re great. Gridiron Uncensored is another member of this roundtable. Gridiron Uncensored is famous for game breakdowns and picks. Finally, we have the folks over at the College Football Commission. They talk all college football and don’t focus on any specific team. Now, let’s dive into it!
Three Tech Pod
Notable Additions - The Vols added a couple of incredibly talented pieces via the transfer portal, including OT Lance Heard (LSU), WR Chris Brazzell II (Tulane), and CB Jermod McCoy (Ore St). Their top high school recruits include talented EDGE Jordan Ross and WRs Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley. Oh, and they welcomed one of the best safeties in the country in Boo Carter.
Notable Losses - The Vols didn’t lose very much to the draft or the portal. Joe Milton, Jaylin Wright and Kamal Hadden were selected in April. Tennessee lost a pair of safeties in Tamarion McDonald and Wesley Walker, bringing their secondary depth into question. Still, the biggest surprise was LB Elijah Herring walking out the door to play for Memphis.
Key Storyline - Can Nico Imaleava live up to the hype? With three starters back on the OL and one of the best WR corps in the country, the Vols’ 5-star QB has the tools to be successful. Tennessee’s offense dipped from the lofty heights of 2022, but Nico has Vol Nation believing that they can be special this season.
2024 Critical Stretch - Alabama through Georgia. Starting with the Third Saturday in October, the Vols will face the meat of their schedule. They host Alabama, Kentucky, and Miss State before heading to Georgia. You could certainly include a talented, albeit unknown, Florida (Oct. 12th) in this run as well depending on how you feel about the Gators’ road chances.
Over/Under Projection - O/U 9.5 (O +140) Tennessee’s final record will no doubt be the conclusion to a fascinating season on Rocky Top. The Vols have the potential to reel off a 10-2 season. The defense has an intimidating line, led by All-SEC EDGE James Pierce (10 sacks), that will need to repeat their top-10 performance from 2023. There are serious questions about the depth of the secondary, but overall Tennessee looks like a 9-win squad at worst.
Updog Sports Talk
This Vols offense is once again going to be a lot of fun to see on the field this year. Nico Iamaleava is the present and the future that Vols fans have been excited aboutw. I predict the offense will look more smooth with Iamaleava compared to Milton. The skill players are going to get the headlines but this great offensive line will be what helps this engine run. I love the aggression of the defense but the secondary will hold the keys. Can the Vols limit mistakes, particularly on the road? That will hold the key to whether this is simply a good season or a playoff year. The schedule is very favorable with Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Georgia being the only hostile road environments. I only have the Georgia game chalked up as a sure “L.”
Gridiron Uncensored
2023 was a comeback down season after a strong 2022 and electric QB play. However, the bowl game against Iowa left a lot of promise for the Vols. Nico Iamaleava did everything he needed to do against a top-tier Iowa defense. Ball control. Touchdowns. Smooth decision-making. Similar to what I saw from JJ McCarthy against the same D. That alone gives me a good feeling about what Nico can do for this 2024 team. The team has talent throughout. How will the OL hold up with new portal additions? Three returning starters help that plenty. I expect the offense to be much better with Nico at the helm and Milton being gone. The defense will be strong in the front 7, but I do have some concerns about corner play. This squad across the board will be a strong contender for a playoff spot. To me, the floor is 8-4 (everything goes wrong) and the ceiling is 11-1. Though I’m settling right in the middle at 10 wins and beating the over on the win total projection of 9.
YouTube: GridironUncensoredPodcast
College Football Commission
Vols Fans: this season needs no introduction. Expectations are sky-high… and rightfully so! There’s no need for us to rehash what you’ve dreamed about every night since January 2nd (the quarterback prodigy, back-to-back-to-back top-20 recruiting classes, an elite receiver corps and defensive line) and what’s kept you up at night (the defensive back unit). So, let’s talk turkey: the schedule.
We know you’re not concerned about Chattanooga, Kent State, and UTEP. Plus, you’ve already circled Alabama and Georgia on your calendar with a bright red Sharpie. Outside of possibly heading into Norman as an underdog, the Vols should be favored in all six of their remaining games. The Kentucky game at home (right after hosting Alabama) is a hot trap game pick, but we see the Arkansas and Florida games as having more “slip-up” potential. The most intriguing one left is Mississippi State, right before the Vols head to Athens, with their brand-new coach and system in place.
Brass tacks: this is a playoff-caliber team, there’s much more to be excited than worried about, and we can’t wait to see what Josh Heupel and the 2024 Vols will achieve.