ATLANTA — The first "S-E-C!" chant started in the Georgia Dome with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.

And why not?

Tennessee, the last-place team in the East Division a year ago, showed why college football is the Southeastern Conference's domain and everyone else is just paying rent with a 35-21 win against an over-matched N.C. State team in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff on Friday night.

The transitive property usually doesn't apply to football. N.C. State hopes that holds true.

N.C. State and Tennessee had one common opponent in 2011 — Cincinnati. The Wolfpack got smashed by the Bearcats, 44-14 on the road on Sept. 22. Meanwhile, Tennessee clobbered Cincinnati, 45-23 at home on Sept. 10.

Still, N.C. State defensive coordinator Mike Archer has used the Cincinnati game tape to learn about the Volunteers.