The Volunteer State
The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.
Episodes
Tennessee’s 2025 football roster appears to be complete. That means we can judge the depth chart, and we’ve got plenty of judgments about it. On today’s episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams break down the depth chart to determine if each position is better, worse or the same as 2024, beginning with QB Joey Aguilar.
We are now in the Joey Aguilar era of Tennessee quarterbacks, maybe. But is he good enough? Is he too reckless? Can he learn UT’s offense quick enough?On today's episode, host Adam Sparks breaks down the good and bad of Aguilar’s game and how it fits into the Vols. Plus, what is Tennessee’s transfer portal strategy? Let’s try to figure it out.
Nico Iamaleava is gone. Tennessee is searching for a new quarterback. And the college football world is reacting to this potential tipping point of the NIL/transfer portal era.On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams react to Iamaleava’s abrupt exit and discuss how the situation got to the point of no return.Plus, where do the Vols go from here? There are a few quarterback possibilities in the transfer portal.
Tennessee football has a “new scheme” on offense. But what does that mean? Or more importantly, what do we think it should mean?On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams react (and overreact) to rumblings about new offensive plans the Vols are working on in spring practice.Plus, Adam recaps his first Aussie rules football game and eating grilled kangaroo during a spring break trip to Australia.
Tennessee carries concerns into spring football practice. But which position could keep Josh Heupel up at night? (Hint: There’s more than one.)On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams rank the Vols’ biggest worries. Thankfully, quarterback isn’t one of them. But there are reasons for anxiety at wide receiver, offensive line, defensive secondary and more.
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...
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 im...
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 w...
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 wh...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 w...
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 leap...
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 te...
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 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 expense...
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