The Volunteer State

Tennessee football played like a complete team against Oklahoma. 

Was it Josh Heupel's most impressive victory as Tennessee's coach? No. But, more so than any other game, it showed that the Vols can win with defense. And wins like that will be needed as Tennessee aims to advance from being a good program to becoming a national championship contender.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams weigh in on Tennessee's national championship potential.

They also push back on the argument that Heupel coached too conservatively against Oklahoma. 

And, they engage with a doomsday scenario that could keep Tennessee out of the playoff if the Vols finish 10-2.

Tennessee football roars, and its ticket prices soar. First up, the roaring.

Tennessee will play a pivotal game at Oklahoma on Saturday in the Sooners’ first SEC game, while Josh Heupel returns to Norman after a celebrated Sooners career.

On today’s episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams examine the Vols’ clash with Oklahoma before debating Tennessee’s decision to hike ticket prices in 2025 to combat new expenses.

Is this a make-or-break game for the Vols’ playoff hopes? Well, it’s more make than break. Considering the opponents that remain on Tennessee’s schedule, the Vols would be well-positioned for a playoff resume if they beat the Sooners.

If they lose in Norman, that doesn’t wreck Tennessee’s playoff chances, but it would need to at least split with Alabama and Georgia.

Later in the episode, an examination of why Tennessee will raise ticket prices next year, as a way to offset expected revenue-sharing costs that are around the bend.

Where's the love for Tennessee after the Vols smashed North Carolina State 51-10? Weren't the Wolfpack supposed to be a quality opponent? The Vols made them look like mincemeat. 

So, explain how Tennessee lags behind at No. 9 in the US LBM coaches poll and No. 7 in the AP poll.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams unpack what might be contributing to Tennessee's ranking and whether it matters. 

Adams says he'd rank Tennessee within the top five – but he doesn't have an AP vote this year.

The crew also revises their record projections for Tennessee. Forget 9-3. How about 10-2 or 11-1?

Season-opening performances don't get much better than that. It's Nico's time, and Tennessee Vols fans are rejoicing. Iamaleava checked all the boxes in Tennessee's win against Chattanooga. He's the real deal. 

Call him 'Heismanaleava?' 

Maybe we're jumping the gun on that one. Just by a smidge.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, John Adams and Adam Sparks revisit Iamaleava's splendid showing in Week 1 and what it means for the Vols' playoff aspirations. Tennessee didn't answer all the questions against Chattanooga. We'll get a better feel for its defense, the secondary in particular, when the Vols face North Carolina State on Saturday.

As for the Nico hype train? It's rumbling down the tracks. All gas, no brakes.

Preseason projections of Tennessee's 2024 record tend to come down to two options: 10-2 or 9-3.

That might not sound like much difference, but in the 12-team College Football Playoff era, it's probably the difference between making the playoff or not. Vols fans have their sights set on making the playoff in Josh Heupel's fourth season. Tennessee drew an accommodating schedule, and anticipation for Nico Iamaleava's first season as starting quarterback is off the charts. 

Still, boobytrap games like those against Oklahoma and Florida could ensnare Tennessee's playoff hopes.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams debate whether this season is playoff or bust for Tennessee. 

Would 9-3 be an acceptable result in Big Orange Country? Probably not. 

Not with a 5-star quarterback. Not with a schedule that includes just four preseason ranked teams. Heupel enjoys job security. He's entrenched, playoff or not. But, he should know expectations will increase after he delivered three straight winning seasons.

Here's the thing about the playoff tripling in size: It's easier to make the playoff, but fan frustrations for missing the playoff might triple.

Preseason practice offers a glimpse at depth chart strengths and weaknesses. We're left with some questions.

One player we're not questioning: Nico Iamaleava. The buzz around Tennessee's redshirt freshman quarterback is reminiscent of the hype surrounding Peyton Manning, Heath Shuler and Condredge Holloway. Iamaleava is worthy of that hype.

Some other positions are on squishier footing.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss three burning questions that remain unanswered as preseason practice winds down and the Week 1 game against Chattanooga nears.

Among the topics are Tennessee's health at running back and wide receiver, and what the heck is going on with that defensive back rotation?

Tennessee football and Pilot Corporation are in business together, and but their deal won't alter the name of Neyland Stadium.

UT and the Knoxville-headquartered fuel supplier announced a landmark deal this week that will put the Pilot name on Shields-Watkins Field and Pilot branding throughout the stadium. But, importantly, UT and Pilot agree that the name of the stadium isn't going corporate. The Neyland Stadium name will remain.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams detail the news, explain what it means and project what might be next for Tennessee in its string of moneymaking branding deals for stadiums.

What does Tennessee get out of this deal with Pilot?

Financial details were not disclosed, but one estimate indicates the branding deal will generate tens of millions in new revenue for Vols athletics at a time when college athletics costs are increasing and administrators explore previously untapped areas for cash.

So, what's next? Keep an eye on Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Can we put to bed the narrative that Josh Heupel is an average recruiter?

That was one of the knocks on Heupel when Tennessee hired him in 2021. Since then, though, he’s been a steady recruiter – NIL helps – and he’s assembling his best class ever.

The Vols are on a recruiting hot streak. Their 2025 recruiting class is positioned for a top-10 national finish. Also, Heupel continues to be a dynamite recruiter of quarterbacks. Tennessee beat out Alabama and LSU to earn a commitment from five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, the nation’s top-ranked prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.

On today’s episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams examine the Vols’ recruiting heater and what it means for Heupel’s reputation on the trail.

Also, what will Tennessee’s quarterback depth charts look like in 2025 and ’26? The Vols will be stacked at the position in 2025, when Nico Iamaleava should remain the headliner, but will a transfer or two affect the depth chart in ’26?

If Iamaleava and Brandon are as good as advertised, Tennessee is well-positioned for the future.

Todd Helton earned induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and Knox News literally traveled by plane, train and automobile to cover the ceremony.

The IT outages stranded reporter Mike Wilson in New York, so he kicked it old school and traveled by Amtrak to Upstate New York. There, in the idyllic town of Cooperstown, Helton earned his enshrinement.

A Knoxville native. A standout Vol. Now, a Hall of Famer.

Helton was a force of consistency throughout his 17-year career spent entirely with the Colorado Rockies. A sweet-swinging, slick-fielding first baseman, he posted a career .316 batting average.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Mike Wilson unpack Helton’s journey from Knoxville to Cooperstown -- and Wilson’s hectic, circuitous journey there, as well. 

They examine Tennessee’s impact on Helton’s career and why some Vols fans still remember him best as a quarterback.

Paul Finebaum's optimism grows for Tennessee football.

The SEC Network's opinion king emerged from SEC media days feeling more bullish about the Vols' playoff chances and their place within the conference pecking order.

Is that sunny outlook warranted?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks re-evaluate Tennessee's playoff prospects and assess whether their estimation of Tennessee has improved, regressed or stayed about the same throughout the offseason.

Their verdict: A 9-3 record is more likely than a playoff berth, but an accommodating schedule nonetheless helps make Tennessee a playoff contender.

Also in this episode, an update on the latest developments in the Neyland Entertainment District project that would bring a hotel, restaurant and bar to liven the area around the stadium near the riverfront, at the expense of the G10 parking garage.