The Volunteer State

Tennessee football requires a recalibration of its offense in the offseason. A unit that led the nation in scoring in 2022 is pretty pedestrian this season. And Josh Heupel's teams aren't built to succeed with pedestrian offenses. Offense must fuel the Vols' success.

In Nico Iamaleava, we trust?

Well, sort of.

Better quarterback play is needed in 2024, and Iamaleava will be a redshirt freshman ready for the reins. In brief appearances as Joe Milton's backup, he's teased the potential that made him a five-star recruit. But, restoring the offense to full speed calls for more than a quarterback change.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams put Tennessee's offense under the microscope.

Sparks lays out a six-step plan to fixing the offense in the offseason, while Toppmeyer and Adams offer their rebuttals to the plan.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra.

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Tennessee football's crowning achievement 10 games into the season is a win at Kentucky. What's that say? Well, it's not a success story.

But, can this season fairly be labeled a bust?

The Vols (7-3, 3-3 SEC) entered the season with a preseason No. 12 ranking and the momentum of an 11-win campaign that included an Orange Bowl triumph. It didn't take long, though, for Tennessee to show its colors and prove this would be no repeat of 2022. The Swamp landed the first punch on the Vols, and Missouri ripped off any remaining veneer in a 36-7 beatdown in Columbia.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams debate whether Heupel's third season at Tennessee is to be considered a bust.

The Vols will host undefeated Georgia before wrapping up at home against pitiful Vanderbilt. That strongly points to an 8-4 finish to the regular season.

Bust, or not a bust?

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra.

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Tennessee football is likely headed to a Florida bowl game, but which one? And, does it matter?

If we told you the Vols are bound for either the Citrus, Gator or ReliaQuest (formerly Outback) bowl, would you know which the SEC considers the most prestigious?

(Answer: Citrus Bowl.)

No. 12 Tennessee's best path to the Citrus Bowl involves beating No. 15 Missouri on Saturday in Columbia.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams review Nico Iamaleava's performance against UConn before examining the Vols' game against Missouri and what it means to each team's bowl prospects.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

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Wednesday’s reveal of the first College Football Playoff rankings served as a reminder of just how interesting – and deep – the playoff race will become next season.

The Vols aren’t in the hunt for this year’s playoff, but the format will expand to 12 teams in 2024. If the 12-team playoff were here today, Tennessee would remain in contention for a spot.

And, if last week’s 33-27 win over Kentucky offered any indication, the Vols should be a contender next year. 

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams examine the long-term outlook for Tennessee and the CFP.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

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Tennessee's road woes are looking more like reality than myth.

Alabama rarely has been more beatable during Nick Saban's tenure than it was Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Vols owned the first half. They were up by two scores at halftime, and their domination was more lopsided than that.

And then Tennessee experienced an all-systems failure in the second half and watched No. 8 Alabama run away with a 34-20 victory.

The Vols have not won in Tuscaloosa since 2003. Not coincidentally, they have not won in The Swamp since 2003, either.

In real time, here's what's most concerning about the Vols' road struggles: They'll play at Kentucky on Saturday and must play at No. 16 Missouri on Nov. 11.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams examine what went wrong in the second half in Tuscaloosa and just how vulnerable Tennessee is against Kentucky. The Wildcats are no Alabama, but they beat Florida in Lexington.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

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Josh Heupel's teams usually win because of their offense. These Tennessee Vols win in spite of their offense – at least, that was the case against Texas A&M.

The Vols' defense fueled that victory.

But, can Tennessee expect its defense to carry the day against Alabama? Usually, dynamite quarterback performances and a high-scoring opponent are required to beat Nick Saban's Crimson Tide. And Joe Milton isn't supplying this offense with what it needs.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, John Adams and Adam Sparks examine the dilemma of Tennessee's quarterback situation.

Milton is the sixth-year veteran, but he's making rookie mistakes. So, why not pivot to ballyhooed freshman Nico Iamaleava? That comes with risks – risks coaches don't usually like to take.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

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Tennessee and Texas A&M are two programs that enjoy a lot of advantages and frequently boast lofty expectations, while struggling to meet the bar of what is capable.

In some ways, the programs are similar, and that's evident in the win-loss column. Throughout the past 20 seasons, the Vols averaged seven wins. The Aggies averaged 7.4.

The teams will meet Saturday, in a pivotal game for the direction of each team's season.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams assess the matchup and compare these programs.

Tennessee is the state's flagship school, while the Aggies live in Texas' shadow. But, Texas A&M's revenue, resources and facilities are impressive, and they're located in fertile recruiting terrain. 

The truth is, each of these programs should win more than seven games in a typical season.

Good news for Tennessee: The Vols thrashed South Carolina, avenging their 2022 loss to the Gamecocks.

Unsettling news for Tennessee: Kentucky dismantled Florida. How did the Vols look so bad against the Gators, and how will UT handle the Wildcats later this month?

Good news for Tennessee: The Vols’ run game took off against South Carolina behind a recalibrated offensive line, now that Cooper Mays is back after a preseason medical procedure shelved him for four games.

Unsettling news for Tennessee: Wide receiver Bru McCoy is out for the season with an ankle injury.

Saturday had to be a bit of a roller coaster of emotions for Vols fans. The biggest development, though, was Tennessee beating South Carolina.

No. 18 Tennessee is 4-1 (1-1 SEC) in this open week, before hosting Texas A&M next week. 

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams reflect on last Saturday's developments and what they mean for Tennessee.

Add it up, and do we feel better, worse or about the same about the Vols? That depends who you ask.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

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These next four games stand out as a defining swing stretch in Tennessee's season.

South Carolina, then Texas A&M, Alabama and Kentucky await the Vols. Each of those games feels like something of a toss-up. Never mind that the Vols are a significant favorite against the Gamecocks according to sportsbooks. Spencer Rattler alone makes South Carolina dangerous. Vols fans should need no reminder of that.

Interestingly, South Carolina and Tennessee suffer from some of the same deficiencies in the offensive line and defensive secondary.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams highlight what to watch for against the Gamecocks and offer their predictions for this four-game stretch.

None of the hosts expects Tennessee to cruise through this quartet without suffering a loss. They also don't expect the Vols to go winless, either. Beyond that, the predictions vary.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

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We admit, we thought this time would be different.

We're well aware of Tennessee's history in The Swamp, but much of that history came before Josh Heupel was coach. And much of that history came against Florida teams better than this one.

So, yeah, we thought Tennessee would snap its losing streak in Gainesville that stretches to 2003. And stretches on after the Gators' convincing 29-16 victory on Saturday – so convincing, in fact, that we're re-evaluating our expectations for this Tennessee season.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams revisit their preseason projections for Tennessee, and each lowers his projected win total for the Vols, although the amount of the decrease varies by host.

Ranging from 7-5 (yuck) to the ReliaQuest Bowl, here's what we're thinking now.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

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