Welcome to another episode of Big Orange Sunday with Coach Doug Matthews, where we dive deep into the current state of Tennessee Athletics, from the gridiron to the hardwood. This episode centers on a comprehensive review of the Tennessee Volunteers' spring football practice, where Coach Matthews analyzes Josh Heupel’s strategic decision to prioritize internal continuity and youth at skill positions over heavy transfer portal recruitment. While the program has integrated 19 total transfers to bolster the defensive secondary, the offense has seen only six additions, with offensive tackle Williams being the standout likely starter. Matthews breaks down the depth charts, noting that the offensive line remains the team's greatest strength, and emphasizes that the "Heupel era" offense still fundamentally relies on establishing a dominant running game despite its reputation for high-powered passing.

Beyond football, this episode explores the surging success of the Tennessee basketball program as they celebrate their third consecutive Elite Eight appearance. Joined by sports journalist Jimmy Hyams, Coach Matthews analyzes the team's dominant defensive identity and rebounding prowess that led to a victory over Iowa State, setting the stage for a high-stakes matchup against top-seeded Michigan. The discussion also touches on the diamond, addressing the baseball team's recent struggles with offensive inconsistency and a grueling 16-inning loss to Vanderbilt. Whether it is the defensive shift to a "three safety look" on the football field or the elite efficiency of the basketball team's two-point shooting, this episode provides the essential insights every Vol fan needs to stay ahead of the game.

<p data-path-to-node="0">Welcome to another episode of Big Orange Sunday with Coach Doug Matthews, where we dive deep into the current state of Tennessee Athletics, from the gridiron to the hardwood. This episode centers on a comprehensive review of the Tennessee Volunteers' spring football practice, where Coach Matthews analyzes Josh Heupel&rsquo;s strategic decision to prioritize internal continuity and youth at skill positions over heavy transfer portal recruitment. While the program has integrated 19 total transfers to bolster the defensive secondary, the offense has seen only six additions, with offensive tackle Williams being the standout likely starter. Matthews breaks down the depth charts, noting that the offensive line remains the team's greatest strength, and emphasizes that the "Heupel era" offense still fundamentally relies on establishing a dominant running game despite its reputation for high-powered passing.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="1">Beyond football, this episode explores the surging success of the Tennessee basketball program as they celebrate their third consecutive Elite Eight appearance. Joined by sports journalist Jimmy Hyams, Coach Matthews analyzes the team's dominant defensive identity and rebounding prowess that led to a victory over Iowa State, setting the stage for a high-stakes matchup against top-seeded Michigan. The discussion also touches on the diamond, addressing the baseball team's recent struggles with offensive inconsistency and a grueling 16-inning loss to Vanderbilt. Whether it is the defensive shift to a "three safety look" on the football field or the elite efficiency of the basketball team's two-point shooting, this episode provides the essential insights every Vol fan needs to stay ahead of the game.</p>

Former University of Tennessee coordinator Doug Mathews brings you the latest news and analysis every weekend on 104-5 The Zone. Find the show LIVE every Sunday morning at 8 AM and check out the full podcast right here every weekend.