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?

<p>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?</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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.

Is Tennessee football facing playoff elimination game against Alabama?

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