National media outlet names Tennessee Vols' toughest non-conference game in 2024

247Sports named each SEC team's toughest non-conference game in 2024 and their choice for the Tennessee Vols shouldn't come as a surprise.

The national sports media outlet named Tennessee's matchup in Charlotte against NC State on September 7 as the program's toughest non-conference game in 2024.

From 247Sports : Tennessee's trip to North Carolina for the Duke's Mayo Classic is one of the most intriguing matchups of Week 2. The two programs have met just three times over the years, and the Volunteers took the last matchup by two touchdowns in 2012. However, Dave Doeren has turned the Wolfpack into a consistent winner, and the program flexed its newfound NIL muscles in the first portal window. Quarterback Grayson McCall, wide receiver Kevin Concepcion and running back Jordan Waters figure to be one of the ACC's best trios on offense and is a tough matchup for any defense, even one as talented as the Volunteers.

This game was really the only option for the Vols as their other non-conference games this fall are against Chattanooga, Kent State, and UTEP.

Tennessee should be favored against NC State, a program that went 9-4 last season (just as the Vols did), but this will be a much more difficult game than UT's game against Virginia last season in Nashville. NC State is ranked No. 18 in ESPN's early top 25 rankings for the 2024 season.

The good news for the Vols, however, is that they get a "tune-up" game against Chattanooga on August 31. That game will give new starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the rest of the team a chance to find their footing before Tennessee's showdown in Charlotte with the Wolfpack.

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