Tennessee football is ranked top 10 by ESPN FPI after the Vols’ Week 1 win versus Chattanooga.
ESPN Football Power Index rankings were updated on Tuesday following Week 1 of the 2024 college football season.
After a 69-3 win against FCS opponent Chattanooga, Tennessee is ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s FPI rankings.
ESPN defines FPI as the following:
“The Football Power Index (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete.”
Top 10 ESPN FPI rankings entering Week 2 are listed below.
Iamaleava made his second career start and his first at Neyland Stadium against Chattanooga. He also set a record for passing yards in a half.
Iamaleava totaled 314 passing yards in the first half of Tennessee’s, 69-3, victory over Chattanooga in the 2024 season opener for both schools. He completed his first 10 passing attempts.
The redshirt freshman completed 22-of-28 passing attempts for three touchdowns against the Mocs.
Tyler Bray previously set Tennessee’s record of 313 yards in the first half against Troy on Nov. 3, 2012. Iamaleava’s performance represents the fourth 300-plus yard half in program history.
Iamaleava is the first Vols’ freshman, redshirt or true, to start a season opener since 2004.
Tennessee baseball walk-up song “The Stroke” played at Neyland Stadium during the Vols’ 69-3 win versus Chattanooga.
No. 15 Tennessee (1-0) kicked off its 2024 football season with a 69-3 win versus Chattanooga (0-1) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee led the Mocs, 38-0, with 10 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the second quarter after a touchdown reception by wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. from quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Prior to Josh Turbyville’s kickoff touchback, returning possession to Chattanooga, “The Stroke” by Billy Squier was played at Neyland Stadium.
The 1981 song was a fan favorite at Tennessee baseball games during the Vols’ 2024 national championship season.
Tennessee third baseman Billy Amick’s walk-up song was “The Stroke” in 2024. While Amick approached the batter’s box, the song would play throughout Lindsey Nelson Stadium with fans and players clapping above their heads to the hit.
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WirePhoto by Dan Harralson, Vols WirePhoto by Dan Harralson, Vols WirePhoto by Dan Harralson, Vols WirePhoto by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Nico Iamaleava recaps his first start at Neyland Stadium and setting a Tennessee school record versus Chattanooga.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava made his first start for the Vols at Neyland Stadium in Tennessee’s, 69-3, win versus Chattanooga on Saturday.
Iamaleava completed 22-of-28 passing attempts for 313 yards and three touchdowns in the contest. He set a school record for most passing yards recorded in a half (314).
“It felt great going out there and competing with my guys,” Iamaleava said after the game. “We put a lot of work into this year, so it felt good to go out there and display what we have been working on.”
Iamaleava said he was not aware he set a school record until teammates informed him.
“I didn’t know,” he said. “A couple of my teammates were telling in an interview that I had at the end of the game, is when I really found out. It is a cool and surreal moment. I did not even know about it, but it felt good to go out there with my teammates.”
Photos of Tennessee football debuting 2024 Smokey Grey uniforms versus Chattanooga on Saturday.
No. 15 Tennessee (1-0) opened its 2024 football season on Saturday versus Chattanooga (0-1) at Neyland Stadium. The Vols were victorious, 69-3.
Tennessee debuted its latest Smokey Grey uniforms versus the Mocs.
The Vols led Chattanooga, 45-0, at halftime. Tennessee’s offense produced 503 total yards during the first half (314 passing, 189 rushing).
Josh Heupel’s offense ended the contest totaling 718 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 22-of-28 passing attempts for 313 yards and three touchdowns in his first start at Neyland Stadium.
Vols Wire’s score predictions for the Tennessee-Chattanooga football game in Week 1.
Week 1 of the college football season will feature an in-state matchup at Neyland Stadium.
No. 15 Tennessee and Chattanooga will kick off its 2024 campaign at 12:45 p.m. EDT on Saturday.
The contest will be televised by SEC Network. Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb and Alyssa Lang will be on the call.
“Facing a Chattanooga team that’s a really good opponent, preseason ranked top 10 in their division,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said entering the game. “They return a lot of really good players. At the end of the day, this is the first step in our journey. Looking forward to going and competing with this group.”
A look back at Tennessee’s first win in 2019 against Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee will host Chattanooga on Saturday to open the 2024 season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the contest between the Vols and Mocs.
Tennessee leads the all time series, 40-2-2.
Each week, Vols Wire will look back at a memorable game against Tennessee’s upcoming opponent. This installment will revisit the Vols’ win over Chattanooga on Sept. 14, 2019 at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee entered the game under head coach Jeremy Pruitt with an 0-2 record, having lost to Georgia State and BYU.
The Vols defeated Chattanooga, 45-0.
Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completed 7-of-8 passing attempts for 142 yards and three touchdowns for Tennessee.
