The Volunteer State

With half the SEC battling for College Football Playoff spots, Tennessee and Alabama face a potential elimination game on the Third Saturday in October.On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams set the stakes for Saturday’s rivalry between the Vols and Crimson Tide.Tennessee’s defense is hot, but its offense is ice cold. That combination usually wouldn’t be enough to knock off the mighty Crimson Tide. But this Alabama team is flawed – perhaps just as flawed as Tennessee.On Saturday, the rivals will search for their identity and a path to the playoff. But only one will find it in Neyland Stadium. So let’s talk about it.Other topics: How can play-calling help Nico Iamaleava? Does Alabama have more problems than Tennessee?

Does Tennessee’s offense have a seasonal cold or an incurable disease? Either way, the Big Orange looked very pale in a dreadful 19-14 loss at Arkansas.Nico Iamaleava looked bad. His offensive line looked worse. And coaches didn’t seem to have a solution for their struggles.On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams are going to try to diagnose the Vols’ illness and determine whether there’s a cure before the Florida game.

After three years of Tennessee fans wanting to run Tim Banks out of town, he’s got the No. 1 defense in college football.

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.