Every week, Rocky Top Insider will review Tennessee’s 2024 schedule and see how their past and present opponents performed the previous week of the college football season.
After Tennessee’s homecoming win against Mississippi State, let’s take a look at how the Vols’ 2024 opponents performed in the 11th week of the season.
Week 1 Opponent: Chattanooga
Chattanooga defeated the Citadel 31-7 on the road. The Mocs dominated the game with their rushing attack, as they had six different players with rushing attempts. Top running backs Reggie Davis and Justus Durant both ran for over 100 yards. As a team, they had 50 rushing attempts for 246 yards. The Citadel passed for only 44 yards on 15 attempts.
Chattanooga is 6-4 (5-2 SoCon) and will host Samford in week 12.
Week 2 Opponent: NC State
NC State suffered a home loss as they fell to Duke 29-19. The Wolfpack had previously won two in a row heading into the contest. Unfortunately for NC State, they were unable to get their rushing game going, which put all of the pressure on freshman quarterback CJ Bailey. Bailey threw the ball 39 times for only 16 completions, gaining 184 yards, including one touchdown, and one interception.
Duke is led by former Texas backup quarterback Maalik Murphy.
NC State sits even at 5-5 (2-4 ACC) and has an open date in week 12.
Week 3 Opponent: Kent State
Kent State was held scoreless in their game against Ohio University, as they lost 41-0. The Golden Flashes are winless this season.
Kent State is 0-9 (0-5 MAC) and will travel to Miami (OH) in week 12.
Week 4 Opponent: Oklahoma
The Sooners lost heartbreakingly to Missouri 30-23. Oklahoma led 23-16 late in the fourth quarter. Missouri tied the game at 23 points with 1:03 remaining. On the third play of the drive, Oklahoma fumbled for a 17-yard scoop-and-score touchdown by Zion Grady that would put the Tigers ahead with 22 seconds left in the game. Oklahoma failed to get to the end zone with their last possession, losing the game.
Oklahoma is 5-5 (1-5 SEC) and will have an open date in week 12.
Week 5: BYE WEEK
More From RTI: Josh Heupel Provides Update For Nico Iamaleava in First Presser Since Mississippi State
Week 6 Opponent: Arkansas
Arkansas had an open date in week 11 and did not play.
The Razorbacks are 5-4 (3-3 SEC) and will host Texas in week 12.
Week 7 Opponent: Florida
Florida lost to Texas 49-17 in Austin, TX. The Gators were forced to start their third-string quarterback in Aidan Warner due to injuries to Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway. Warner was 12/25 with two interceptions.
Texas led 35-0 after the first half and took their foot off the gas in the second half of the game. Quinn Ewers threw for five touchdowns in the game.
Florida confirmed their support for head coach Billy Napier and released a statement in their belief in the head coach for the future.
A message from Scott Stricklin pic.twitter.com/NpLD6ktrHj
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) November 7, 2024
Florida moves to 4-5 (2-4 SEC) and will travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for a contest against LSU in week 12.
Week 8 Opponent: Alabama
The Crimson Tide crushed LSU in Death Valley at night, 42-13. Alabama won the first half 21-6 and didn’t stop there. The dominance continued, as they scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns. LSU scored a touchdown with 11 seconds remaining, and it was their only touchdown.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe was the team’s leading rusher, as he ran for 185 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries. The Crimson Tide ran for 311 yards as a team. The Alabama defense also picked off LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier twice.
Alabama is 7-2 (4-2 SEC) and will host Mercer in week 12.
Week 9: BYE WEEK
Week 10 Opponent: Kentucky
Kentucky had an open date in week 11.
The Wildcats are 3-6 (1-6 SEC) and host Murray State in week 12.
Week 11 Opponent: Mississippi State
Mississippi State continues to find themselves in the bottom of the SEC standings, as they fell to Tennessee 33-14. They are still winless in SEC matchups, and their two wins have come against Eastern Kentucky and Massachusetts.
Tennessee scored on its first drive of the game but was held scoreless for the remainder of the first quarter. The Volunteers found a chunk play at the beginning of the second quarter as Nico Iamaleava and Don’te Thornton Jr. connected for a 73-yard touchdown completion to take a 14-0 lead. Mississippi State answered with a touchdown of their own, as they went on a 16-play, 75-yard drive that took nearly eight minutes. Tennessee would add two field goals for a 20-7 lead going intohalftime.
Gaston Moore came out at quarterback for Tennessee to start the second half, as Iamaleava was ruled out with what was named an upper-body injury. Coach Josh Heaped anticipates Iamaleava to be ready for Saturday’s game against Georgia.
The Volunteers took care of business in the second half. Dylan Sampson ran for 149 yards and a touchdown on 30 attempts in the game.
Mississippi State is 2-6 (0-6 SEC) and will have an open date in week 12.
Week 12 Opponent: Georgia
Georgia was upset in Oxford, Mississippi as the Rebels of Ole Miss defeated the Bulldogs 28-10. Georgia took advantage early of a Jaxson Dart interception and scored on their first offensive possession. The next four possessions for Georgia resulted in punts. The Rebels went into halftime leading 16-7.
Georgia drove the field for a field goal to open the half, but this was their only score in the second half, as Ole Miss would hold on to win 28-10.
Georgia is 7-2 (5-2) SEC and will have a showdown with Tennessee in Athens in week 12.
Week 13 Opponent: UTEP
UTEP got its second win of the season as they defeated Kennesaw State 42-35.
UTEP is 2-8 and will have an open date before traveling to Neyland Stadium to face Tennessee in week 13.
Week 14 Opponent: Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt lost to Shane Beamer and South Carolina 28-7 at home. The Commodores failed to do much on the offensive end, as their lone score came as a third-quarter touchdown. South Carolina took advantage of its opposition failing to score as they rallied for 28 points for the win.
Vanderbilt is 6-4 (3-3 SEC) and will have an open date in week 12.
