The Volunteer State

Jeremy Pruitt couldn’t have seemed more sure about Jimmy Brumbaugh when he hired him during the offseason. He felt so sure of the hire that he didn’t consider anyone else for Tennessee football's defensive line opening.

Evidently, Pruitt didn’t know what he was getting in Brumbaugh. Pruitt fired Brumbaugh on Sunday after the season’s fourth game, citing that it wasn't a good fit from a "philosophical standpoint." 

On this edition of “The Volunteer State,” Blake Toppmeyer and Mike Wilson of the News Sentinel examine Brumbaugh’s short tenure and how it went awry so quickly.

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 flopped in its first chance at a statement victory.

The Vols got shut out in the second half of Saturday's game against No. 3 Georgia, squandered a halftime lead and lost 44-21 in Athens.

Tennessee is now 0-7 during the Jeremy Pruitt era against members of the Alabama/Florida/Georgia rivalry trio, with each of those losses coming by at least 22 points.

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the News Sentinel discuss whether Georgia is simply that good, or whether the Vols are just that mediocre.

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

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: https://knoxne.ws/2R3WbeY

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the News Sentinel discuss whether Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano is up to the task of outdueling a former walk-on quarterback.

No. 12 Tennessee will face the third-ranked Bulldogs (2-0) on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) in Athens.

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

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: https://knoxne.ws/2R3WbeY

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the News Sentinel recap Tennessee's season opener and look ahead to Vols (1-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. Missouri (0-1, 0-1) on Saturday (noon ET, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium. 

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the News Sentinel preview Tennessee's season opener against South Carolina (7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, SEC Network) and touch on why it's an important game for Pruitt as he begins his third season.

It's difficult to have long-term success in the SEC without good quarterbacks, and Tennessee's recruiting of quarterbacks is starting to look up.

Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the News Sentinel discuss Ty Simpson's recruitment and examine why Tennessee's recruiting of quarterbacks seems to be on the rise.

The 2020 season features a new hurdle for coaches to tout: the COVID-19 pandemic, and contact-tracing protocols that can result in swaths of players winding up in quarantine and unavailable for practices or games.

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the News Sentinel discuss whether COVID-related player absences should excuse a team's poor performance during a game this season.

Given the added uncertainty about player availability because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tennessee's backup quarterback is more important than ever.

The preseason doubles as prediction season.

Will Tennessee's Eric Gray post an 800-yard season? Will at least four UT true freshmen start a game? Will Cade Mays get his NCAA transfer waiver?

Tennessee's depth chart is better positioned than it was this time last year. The Vols returned eight starters on each side of the ball.

Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the News Sentinel examine Tennessee's freshman class and highlight a handful of individuals who are positioned for playing time.