Tennessee football vs Chattanooga score predictions: Knox News staff sees a blowout

Tennessee football is entering coach Josh Heupel's first season with high hopes and optimism with quarterback Nico Iamaleava taking over.

The No. 15 Vols open the season against Chattanooga on Saturday (12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium.

Here are the predictions from the Knox News staff:

Tennessee vs Chattanooga predictions, picks for college football Week 1

Adam Sparks

Tennessee 59, Chattanooga 7 : The buzz around Nico Iamaleava and this potentially explosive offense will only get louder after this onslaught. And even if the score is lopsided, don't be surprised if Iamaleava stays in the game a little longer than you'd think. Josh Heupel wants the offense clicking in anticipation of that Week 2 game against No. 22 NC State.

John Adams

Tennessee 56, Chattanooga 10: The Vols have won their three openers under Heupel by an average margin of 39 points. Based on that, this should be a better-than-average opening act.

Mike Wilson

Tennessee 45, Chattanooga 17: The Nico Iamaleava era gets off to a good start with a home win to launch into the 2024 season.

Cora Hall

Tennessee 49, Chattanooga 7: The Vols will open the season with a blowout win, though it isn’t likely they’ll shut out the Mocs as their defense sees the field for the first time with a lot of newcomers. But expect Nico Iamaleava to dazzle in his debut this fall.

Gentry Estes

Tennessee 56, Chattanooga 10: Props to Josh Heupel for not offering the mighty Mocs any hints with all those “ORs” on his depth chart.

Blake Toppmeyer

Tennessee 49, Chattanooga 14: Josh Heupel likes running up the score, and he’ll have the opportunity to do so, but Chattanooga will expose a vulnerability or two in UT’s defense.

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Toyloy Brown III

Tennessee 52, Chattanooga 14: The Vols will build an enormous lead early in front of a rabid home crowd who can’t wait to see how the Nico Iamaleava era begins.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ ByMikeWilson . If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football vs Chattanooga score predictions: Knox News staff sees a blowout