Vols scheduled to play NC State in Charlotte in '24

With the arrival of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, the league office had Tennessee cancel a scheduled home and home series with the Sooners. The result left Tennessee Athletics Director Danny White scrambling for a game for the 2024 season. 

“While we are disappointed that we won’t be hosting Oklahoma in 2024, we are extremely excited about the marquee games that Oklahoma and Texas will bring to Neyland Stadium in the future as fellow members of the Southeastern Conference,” Tennessee athletics director Danny White said in a school release last year. “In the meantime, we are actively exploring the best possible replacement opponents for 2024.”

Tennessee has found that game in a week two neutral site contest in Charlotte against NC State. The SEC is currently still requiring teams to play a power 5 opponent in addition to the expected 9 game schedule with the expanded SEC. It’s believed that the SEC will do away with that rule moving forward which is why a home and home with a power 5 school was unrealistic and Tennessee was looking for a one off power 5 matchup.

“We appreciate the Charlotte Sports Foundation and NC State on executing a game of this caliber on short notice,” said Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White. “This is another terrific opportunity for our football program and Vol Nation to showcase our brand in one of college football’s perennial marquee contests.” 

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said the league hopes to finalize the scheduling model for the expanded league later this spring.

The Vols will open the ’24 season at home against Chattanooga before heading east in week two to take on the Wolfpack in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. 

Tennessee will receive four million dollars for playing the Wolfpack. The money will go directly to the current construction expansion project at the Anderson Training Center.

Tennessee opened the 2012 season in the Georgia Dome against NC State with a 35-21 win. Tennessee last played in Charlotte in 2018 season when they opened the year with a 40-14 loss to West Virginia. 

In addition to Chattanooga and NC State, Tennessee has contract for games with UTEP, and Kent State. If it is indeed a 9 game league schedule either the UTEP or Kent Stage game will not be played.