Tennessee Football Season Preview 2024: Biggest games, key players to watch, predictions and more
As the beginning of the 2024 college football season inches closer, the Tennessee Volunteers could be one of the more intriguing teams to keep an eye on. Coach Josh Heupel has been in control of the program since 2021.
Here's a deeper dive into Tennessee's 2024 college football season, its top games, significant players and predictions for how the program could perform next season.
Tennessee's biggest games in the 2024-25 season
The Volunteers have been doing well in recent seasons and have an eight-game home schedule this year with just four road games on the docket. However, they have some tough opponents as they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs, so they could have a tough time in the SEC this season.
They are No. 15 in the Preseason AP Poll and have four games against other ranked programs heading into the season.
Here is their full schedule breakdown:
Tennessee Home Games
- 8/31: vs. Chattanooga
- 9/7: vs. NC State
- 9/14: vs. Kent State
- 10/12: vs. Florida
- 10/19: vs. Alabama
- 11/2: vs. Kentucky
- 11/9: vs. Mississippi State
- 11/23: vs. UTEP
Tennessee Road Games
- 9/21: at Oklahoma
- 10/5: at Arkansas
- 11/16: at Georgia
- 11/30: at Vanderbilt
Key Tennessee players to watch out for in 2024-25 season
#1. Nico Iamaleava, QB
This season is the chance for quarterback Nico Iamaleava to get his opportunity as the starting QB after being behind Joe Milton III last year. He was able to get some action last year in mop-up duty and finished 28-of-45 (62.2%) for 314 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air as well as 20 rushing attempts for 71 yards (3.5 yards per carry) with three rushing touchdowns.
His playstyle is going to make defenses try to contain him and if Iamaleava can continue to get the defense worried about his legs, he can take advantage in the pocket with a solid arm.
#2. James Pearce Jr., DL
James Pearce Jr. is one of the best overall players returning and it certainly helps to have a dominating defensive lineman back in the program. Pearce finished last season with 27 total tackles, 9.5 sacks and one interception that was returned for a touchdown. He is going to be tough to keep from the quarterback so do not be surprised to see Pearce have double-digit sacks this year.
#3. Squirrel White, WR
Squirrel White is returning for his third season with the Tennessee Volunteers and he has continued to improve. Last year, he became the Vols' top target as he had 67 receptions for 803 yards (12.0 yards per catch) with a pair of touchdowns. With a returning Bru McCoy off the devastating injury last year, White is going to be the top target on the offense and if he and Iamaleava can develop some rapport, they could be a dominant connection.
Tennessee prediction for next season
The Tennessee Volunteers are in a tough SEC but only face four teams that are in the Preseason AP Poll Top 25, so they have a chance to compete in these games. While they are not going to likely be in the SEC Championship Game next season, expect to see them sneak in as one of the 12 College Football Playoff teams as they should have double-digit victories.