The Volunteer State

The College Football Playoff is headed for expansion and retooling. But which plan should Tennessee fans be rooting for? And is that the same as what’s best for college football?On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and Blake Toppmeyer break down the different playoff formats being discussed for 2026, and tell you which is best for the Vols. (Hint: It’s not automatic bids for SEC).So let’s fill out the 12-team, 14-team and 16-team future brackets with UT in mind.

Josh Heupel is betting on recruits he handpicked to lead Tennessee to the next level just as Jeremy Pruitt’s former players finally leave the program.Is this a welcomed development, cause for concern or a tired narrative that needs to go away?On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and Blake Toppmeyer break down the transition from “Pruitt’s players” to “Heupel’s players,” and how it could impact the Vols’ trajectory. It’s a timely discussion because the 2025 team will almost exclusively come from the recruiting classes and transfers under Heupel.Plus, they touch on UT’s newest portal additions, Star Thomas and Sam Pendleton.

Tennessee kept Nico Iamaleava, Mike Matthews and Boo Carter out of the transfer portal. But it’s lost more than it’s gained so far this offseason. And the veteran core of the 2024 playoff team is headed to the NFL as an apparent youth movement begins for the Vols.On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams break down UT’s roster moves and how they could impact the direction of the 2025 season.Plus, they weigh in on Boo Carter as an offensive player, Tim Banks as an essential defensive coordinator and Josh Heupel’s ability to reload the roster.

It’s game week at Tennessee, playoff edition. UT fans are attempting a ticket takeover of Ohio State’s stadium. The Vols are preparing to face an uber-talented Buckeyes team. And in the background, coaches are managing the transfer portal.On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams break down the Vols’ first-ever CFP game against Ohio State and guess how many UT fans will be there.Plus, we talk through why a few Vols are already in the portal rather than CFP practice, and why fans shouldn’t be so hard on them.

Tennessee got good news in the College Football Playoff picture and on national signing day. But it’s hoping for much better news on both fronts in the coming days. Penn State and David Sanders could help with that. We’ll explain.On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams break down the Vols final scenarios in the playoff, including who they’ll play and where. And they look back on the win over Vandy that earned UT’s way into the 12-team bracket.Plus, a signing day review raises questions about Sanders, UT’s No. 1 recruit, and the future of George MacIntyre as Vols QB.

What went wrong at Georgia? How can Tennessee still make the College Football Playoff? And why did Josh Heupel try to hand me the microphone to complain about the officials during his postgame press conference?On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams tell you what needs to happen for the Vols to get into the playoff and give you the odds of each of those things happening. It involves UT fans rooting for Hugh Freeze and against Lane Kiffin.Plus, our Georgia game recap asks if Nico Iamaleava is getting enough help and if Heupel should rant publicly against the refs.

Is Georgia reeling, or is Tennessee walking into an ambush in Athens? And how will Nico Iamaleava’s injury status impact the biggest game of the Vols’ season?On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams break down the Tennessee-Georgia game and all the extra storylines that go with it.Will Nico play? Is Georgia in disarray? Are the Bulldogs good enough to play great once more for Kirby Smart? And what’s the fallout in the playoff picture if the Vols lose?

The College Football Playoff selection committee told us what it thinks of Tennessee’s resume – both good and bad. Will the good get better or the bad get worse down the stretch as the Vols try to make the bracket?On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams break down the first CFP poll, where Tennessee ranks and most importantly what the committee said about the Vols’ resume.Plus, is it time to accept this UT offense for what it is – flawed? Or could freshman receiver Mike Matthews be a solution?

Tennessee is in a logjam with several teams for College Football Playoff spots just as the first CFP ranking is set for release.On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams lay out which teams UT fans should root against in key games this weekend in order to clear a playoff path for the Vols.It starts in the SEC. But Tennessee needs to keep an eye on Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC teams that are jockeying for position.Plus, will we remember Nico’s November? The last month of the season sets up well for Nico Iamaleava and the UT offense to kick into a higher gear. There’s certainly no time like the present as a struggling Kentucky team comes to Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee beat Alabama with a lockdown defense, a late-arriving offense and … fake crowd noise? It sounds too far-fetched to discuss, but let’s give it a try.On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams talk about that strange allegation of piped-in crowd noise at Neyland Stadium and the game that produced it.Plus, Tennessee is sitting pretty in the College Football Playoff picture. But there are still teams that could leapfrog the Vols down the stretch.Vol fans, don’t panic. This is for educational purposes only during the open week. But we’re going to break down the 5 SEC teams that could jump past UT in the race toward the playoff. And, yes, that includes … Alabama.