The Volunteer State

Tennessee's football schedule is never a cakewalk, with annual games against Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

But as far as Vols scheduling goes, this year's slate is about as manageable as it gets. 

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

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Henry To'o To'o changed sides in the Third Saturday in October rivalry when the former Tennessee football linebacker committed to Alabama on Saturday.

As an undergraduate transfer, an SEC intraconference bylaw requires To'o To'o to sit out a season unless he gains a waiver from the conference. However, SEC leaders are expected to review that bylaw in the coming weeks.

But even if To'o To'o gains immediate eligibility, will he be a starter for Alabama?

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

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Even in the SEC's pressure cooker, coaches usually enjoy a honeymoon season in Year 1 of a tenure. Expectations usually aren't as lofty, with many fans willing to shift blame for any shortcomings as a failure of the previous coach to leave behind a decent roster.

Does Tennessee's Josh Heupel deserve a free pass in his first season? 

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

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Tennessee football's quarterback competition remains "wide open" following spring practice, coach Josh Heupel said after Saturday's spring game.

And the competition is getting more crowded after Michigan transfer Joe Milton announced his commitment to Tennessee on Monday.

On this episode, John and Blake handicap the quarterback competition entering the summer and debate which quarterback has the highest ceiling.

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

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Tennessee football's quarterback competition is about to get more interesting. 

The Vols are expected to add Michigan transfer Joe Milton as a summer enrollee. 

Milton would become Tennessee's fifth scholarship quarterback – assuming the Vols don't lose anyone to the transfer portal ahead of the 2021 season.

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

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Four SEC football programs fired their coach during or after the 2020 season. New coaches in 2021 are Tennessee's Josh Heupel, Auburn's Bryan Harsin, South Carolina's Shane Beamer and Vanderbilt's Clark Lea. 

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake and John of the News Sentinel evaluate those hires and rank them in order of best to worst. 

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

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Tennessee linebacker Aaron Beasley has been suspended indefinitely following an animal abuse allegation in which Beasley is accused of causing serious injury to a 6-month-old cat belonging to his girlfriend's roommate.

The incident remains is under investigation by Knoxville police. Beasley has not been arrested or charged.

How should Josh Heupel handle this situation?

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

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Kaidon Salter earned a suspension before competing in his first Tennessee football practice. 

That's about the last way you want a four-star quarterback to begin his first season.

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

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The door isn't closed on former Tennessee linebackers Henry To'o To'o and Quavaris Crouch returning to the program.

To'o To'o, a starter the past two seasons, is enrolled in virtual classes at UT, but he hasn't been participating in Tennessee's offseason strength and conditioning workouts.

On this episode, Blake and John discuss whether Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel should welcome To'o To'o back into the fold if he wants to return.

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

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Tennessee's last SEC East division crown in football came in 2007.

Since then, UT's men's basketball program has won two SEC regular-season titles and reached the Sweet 16 four times, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2010. 

Football has long been king for Tennessee, but are the Vols now a basketball school?

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

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