What’s wrong with Tennessee’s defense? Can it be fixed this deep into the season? And who’s to blame for its downturn? Plus, Adam and John break down the Oklahoma game.

What&rsquo;s wrong with Tennessee&rsquo;s defense? Can it be fixed this deep into the season? And who&rsquo;s to blame for its downturn? Plus, Adam and John break down the Oklahoma game.

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.

Josh Heupel says Tennessee defense is fixable. Do we believe him?

Is Tennessee’s schedule really that difficult? Would Josh Heupel’s offense actually miss a beat just because it has a young quarterback? Adam Sparks and John Adams challenge widely-held assumptions about the 2026 Vols with contrarian takes.

Is Tennessee&rsquo;s schedule really that difficult? Would Josh Heupel&rsquo;s offense actually miss a beat just because it has a young quarterback? Adam Sparks and John Adams challenge widely-held assumptions about the 2026 Vols with contrarian takes.

Why Tennessee football will be better – or worse – than we think

We can talk about QBs and five-star freshmen on another day. Instead, Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss five under-the-radar players that could impact Tennessee’s 2026 season as the Vols kick off preseason practice.

We can talk about QBs and five-star freshmen on another day. Instead, Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss five under-the-radar players that could impact Tennessee&rsquo;s 2026 season as the Vols kick off preseason practice.

5 Tennessee players (besides QBs) that intrigue us in camp

Ohio State copes with Tennessee getting 5-star David Gabriel Georges. SEC media quietly expect Faizon Brandon to win the Vols’ QB competition. And has Josh Heupel hedged on process of picking QB? Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss.

Ohio State copes with Tennessee getting 5-star David Gabriel Georges. SEC media quietly expect Faizon Brandon to win the Vols&rsquo; QB competition. And has Josh Heupel hedged on process of picking QB? Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss.

Josh Heupel says Tennessee defense is fixable. Do we believe him?

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