Tennessee vs. NC State Same Game Parlay Picks, Odds & Predictions

A top-25 neutral SEC/ACC bout is set to go down in Week 2 college football betting action when the #14 Tennessee Volunteers lock horns with the #24 NC State Wolfpack from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. These programs last collided on the gridiron of the Georgia Dome back in 2012 when the Vols scored the 35-21 win and cover as field goal favorites. Tyler Bray got the best of Mike Glennon in a showcase of what turned to be a pair of overhyped quarterbacks. The 56 combined points exceeded the game’s 52.5-point total in that match, and I foresee another high scorer taking place in this rematch over a decade later with the Nico Iamaleava era set to get the primetime treatment on ABC when he goes mano-a-mano with Grayson McCall in a matchup that has both offenses well ahead of the stop units. The victor of this tilt will keep its hat in the ring of qualifying for the expanded College Football Playoff, so college football bettors can be expected it to be highly competitive right from the opening kick. 

BetMGM Sportsbook opened the NCAAF odds for this non-conference tilt with the Vols installed 6.5-point favorites and the total lined 59.5. Both the side and Over/Under has received one-way traffic since forcing linemakers to make corrections in both markets. Tennessee is currently laying 7.5-points by way of taking in over 70% of the bets and money, while to total is up to 61.5 with 60% of the bets and 80+ percent of the handle expecting points to dent the scoreboard in the Tar Heel State.

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Tennessee Volunteers vs. NC State Wolfpack CFB Same Game Parlay:

The Tennessee Volunteers were unquestionably impressive in last week’s season-opening 69-3 rout of the Chattanooga Moccasins to easily cover the 38.5-point college football spread. The Vols racked up over 700 yards of total offense, with Nico Iamaleava completing 22 of 28 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Dylan Sampson led the way with a game-high 124 yards and three touchdowns, averaging an impressive 10.3 yards per carry. The Volunteers tallied 36 first downs, converted 9 of 15 third-down attempts, and succeeded on their lone fourth-down try. I was bullish of this offense heading into the year with five returning starters and several solid reinforcements brought in from the transfer portal. However, it’s worth noting that Chattanooga was one of the biggest layups on the Week 1 slate. If Tennessee repeats this performance, their national championship odds at BetMGM, currently at 35-1, will likely shorten further.

NC State, on the other hand, surprisingly found itself in a dogfight through three quarters before pulling away in the final 15 minutes. Despite being hefty 32.5-point home favorites, the Wolfpack trailed 21-17 heading into the fourth quarter, facing a strong challenge from the visiting Catamounts. The game then turned into a showcase for Kevin Concepcion, who caught nine passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns, and Jordan Waters, who rushed for 123 yards on 20 carries, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. McCall, despite throwing a rare interception, had a solid debut, completing 26 of 40 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. However, NC State’s defense showed some vulnerability, surrendering 364 total yards, two passing touchdowns, a 6.8-yard per carry average, and a 38% third-down success rate.

Based on last week’s results, I believe the college football betting market is overreacting, slightly. The “Game of the Year” odds initially had the Vols installed 4.5-point favorites for this neutral-field matchup in the Wolfpack’s backyard. I anticipated NC State’s defense could be a weak link to start the year due to the departure of several key players from last year’s stout unit. Western Carolina, known for having one of the best offenses in the Southern Conference, provided a solid test that should have NC State ready for the even bigger challenge that lies ahead this week. Chattanooga wasn’t able to exploit Tennessee’s inexperience in the secondary, but I fully expect the McCall/KC battery to bring that weakness to the forefront, allowing the Wolfpack to stay competitive throughout and potentially position themselves to pull the upset late. In a shootout that could possibly come down to the team that holds possession of the pigskin last, I’m taking the points!

• NC STATE WOLFPACK (+7.5)
• OVER 61.5

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