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

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

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.

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.

A Tennessee Vols podcast from the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee.

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.

How Tim Banks turned Tennessee football fans from critics to staunch supporters

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 played like <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/09/22/tennessee-football-score-oklahoma-sooners-josh-heupel/75244675007/" aria-label="Link a complete team">a complete team</a> 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 <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2024/09/21/tennessee-josh-heupel-oklahoma/75244673007/" aria-label="Link Vols can win with defense">Vols can win with defense</a>. 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 <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://x.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> and <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> 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.

Why we're taking Tennessee football seriously as a national championship contender

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.

<a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/09/17/nico-iamaleava-tennessee-football-road-games-oklahoma-stadium-josh-heupel/75172975007/" aria-label="Link Tennessee football roars">Tennessee football roars</a>, 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 <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://x.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> and <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> 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 <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/09/17/tennessee-football-season-ticket-prices-fans-nil-players/75167328007/" aria-label="Link Tennessee will raise ticket prices next year">Tennessee will raise ticket prices next year</a>, as a way to offset expected revenue-sharing costs that are around the bend.

Why Tennessee vs. Oklahoma is bigger for Brent Venables than Josh Heupel

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?

Where's the love for Tennessee after the <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/09/08/tennessee-football-nc-state-defense-will-brooks-tim-banks/75007602007/" aria-label="Link Vols smashed North Carolina State 51-10">Vols smashed North Carolina State 51-10</a>? 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 <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://x.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> and <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> 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?

Can't get no respect: Why Tennessee football still gets snubbed in rankings

How Tim Banks turned Tennessee football fans from critics to staunch supporters

In 1 playlist(s)

The Volunteer State

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips