Football fans can gear up for a prime-time showdown as the Tennessee Volunteers face off against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2024 Duke's Mayo Classic. The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. spotlight on Sept. 7 at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium, with live coverage on ABC, WATE-TV announced. This early-season bash will feature two teams with ample returning talent and lofty aspirations for the year ahead.
"Two really good teams here," Josh Pate of 247Sports said in an offseason analysis. "NC State yet again in the over/under win total of 8.5 games range. Tennessee up in the 9.5 range. Both of them have [College Football] Playoff potential this year." The excitement is high to see quarterback Nico Iamaleava start for Tennessee, while NC State is expected to confidently rely on a solid, albeit less nationally recognized, lineup. According to a 247Sports report, the game will be a significant non-conference collision, with both teams harboring [College Football] Playoff ambitions.
Fans eager to catch the action in person can snag tickets for the event. This game will also notably replace Tennessee's nonconference play with Oklahoma, which was postponed by the Southeastern Conference due to the Sooners' move to the SEC. This Sept. 7 game, which falls during the second week of the 2024 season, will be one of the first to air under the new SEC on ABC deal, kicking off Labor Day weekend, according to WATE-TV.
It's not just a gridiron battle; it's a rare one. The Volunteers and the Wolfpack have clashed only three times prior, with the most recent encounter on Aug. 31, 2012, resulting in a Tennessee victory. History buffs might remember the other two meetings, way back in 1911 and 1939, with NC State claiming the first game. As both teams prepare to make their second appearances in the Duke's Mayo Classic, it's clear that anticipation for this matchup will only grow as the countdown to kickoff continues. The 2024 game, as stated by The News & Observer, will be a spotlight for both programs to showcase their prowess under the lights.
