Tennessee
We simulated Tennessee football vs. NC State. Who won the game, MVP honors in EA Sports?
What Nico Iamaleava’s performance means for Tennessee football’s playoff quest
What Nico Iamaleava’s performance means for Tennessee football’s playoff quest
It’s Week 2 of the college football season, which means it’s time for our video game simulation of No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State on EA Sports College Football 25.
We still need another week before we can deliver a true simulation, as this week’s game will take place at the neutral site of Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is not available in the video game. For last week’s simulation, Tennessee took on Chattanooga, which was only available by downloading a user-created team with inaccurate player names and attributes.
But for this week’s matchup, rosters are updated, even if rankings are not. We set the time for 8 p.m. (the closest you can get to a 7:30 p.m. kickoff) and set the environment to partly cloudy to simulate the projected weather in Charlotte.
We ran 100 simulations to get a wide range of averages for both teams. Here’s what the video game predicts for the real-life matchup between the Volunteers and the Wolfpack, happening at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7.
Results of the virtual Tennessee Volunteers vs. NC State Wolfpack games
Out of 100 simulations, NC State won the majority of the games with 53.
Many games were decided by just a field goal or a touchdown, and only a few games featured a blowout by either team. Seven games went to overtime, which favored NC State with four victories.
The Vols scored an average of 24.3 points per game, with the Wolfpack scoring an average of 25.95.
Tennessee average yards: 174.54 rushing, 183.75 passing and 465.5 total
NC State average yards: 150.9 rushing, 234.93 passing yards and 488.38 total
Columnist John Adams doesn’t think the real-life game will be close, predicting a UT victory of 41-23. Here’s more about what EA Sports College Football 25 thinks will happen based on our simulations:
- Biggest UT win: 34-13
- Biggest NC State win: 45-14
- Highest scoring game: 52-40, Tennessee
- Lowest scoring game: 13-3, NC State
- Closest game: 24-23, NC State
- Biggest surprise: In three games, the losing team had the most valuable player. The Vols lost in overtime in Game 53, but Nico Iamaleava was named MVP. Grayson McCall of NC State was named MVP in Games 69 and 76, despite the Vols winning both matchups.
- Most impressive plays: Squirrel White returned a kick for a 101-yard touchdown in Game 69, which the Vols won 31-27. James Pierce Jr. picked up 77 yards on a fumble in Game 3. In Game 46, Nico Iamaleava passed to Dont’e Thornton Jr. for a 91-yard touchdown, followed by a 90-yard touchdown from Grayson McCall to Kevin Concepcion.
- Most Valuable Players: Quarterbacks Grayson McCall and Nico Iamaleava took home the most MVP awards. NC State wide receiver Kevin Concepcion, running back Jordan Waters, running back Kendrick Raphael and wide receiver Noah Rogers all were named MVP at least once. UT linebacker Keenan Pili, running back Dylan Sampson, running back Khalifa Keith, running back Cameron Seldon, wide receiver Squirrel White, running back Peyton Lewis, wide receiver Chris Brazzell II and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. all were named MVP at least once.
Smokey grey uniforms are now in EA Sports College Football 25
Fans of the smokey grey uniforms can rejoice, as the uniform style has been added to the game.
The game still features Smokey XI partaking in mascot activities on the sidelines, which the real Smokey XI won’t be doing this season as he keeps developing.
Check back next week to see what EA Sports College Football 25 has in store for Tennessee vs. Kent State!
Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @specialk2real.
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Tennessee
Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig
The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the main teams when it comes to producing talent and sending talent to the NFL, which is something that has often been discovered as a standard for the football program. This is something that has been going on for quite some time and isn’t anything new to the news cycle, as the Vols have been able to produce plenty of talented prospects.
Tennessee is the home of many stars, including some of the best defensive players in SEC history. Guys like Eric Berry have found their way through the Tennessee program and onto the NFL, where they would have legendary careers. However, the defensive side of the football is the only side that has produced plenty of talent, as Tennessee has produced a lot of offensive talent as well. With the likes of Peyton Manning and company, the Vols have shown a great track record in getting talent drafted.
The Vols have produced someone who could be considered as one of the best players to play the Tide end position, as the Knoxville, Tennessee program is the home to Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Witten is someone who made the most of his career and has been viewed as a top player at the Tide in position, and someone who is often referred to as a legend for the Cowboys, along with being a legend in the game of football as a whole.
Jason Witten Accepts TE Coach Position For Oklahoma
Witten is now taking a new gig, which has him in a huge role inside the Southeastern Conference. The Vols legend is now the tight end coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have had some success out of their tight ends in the past, but the sky is the limit with a guy like Witten coaching up the players. Witten has the opportunity to do really well, as coaching tight ends won’t be an issue, and you have to imagine that he will be able to recruit very well, considering he has a huge name around him, as this is something that we have seen from positional coaches as well as head coaches who have done great work in the league. You have to imagine that the Vols will now have stiff competition for his son, Cooper, who is a five-star recruit for the upcoming 2027 class at the linebacker position.
More Vols News
Tennessee
Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival
The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.
Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”
Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt
Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.
He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.
“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.
More Vols News
Tennessee
Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target
The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.
The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.
The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.
Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.
Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.
Jaquez White’s 2025 Season
“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”
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