Season-opening performances don't get much better than that. It's Nico's time, and Tennessee Vols fans are rejoicing. Iamaleava checked all the boxes in Tennessee's win against Chattanooga. He's the real deal. 

Call him 'Heismanaleava?' 

Maybe we're jumping the gun on that one. Just by a smidge.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, John Adams and Adam Sparks revisit Iamaleava's splendid showing in Week 1 and what it means for the Vols' playoff aspirations. Tennessee didn't answer all the questions against Chattanooga. We'll get a better feel for its defense, the secondary in particular, when the Vols face North Carolina State on Saturday.

As for the Nico hype train? It's rumbling down the tracks. All gas, no brakes.

Season-opening performances don't get much better than that. It's Nico's time, and Tennessee Vols fans are rejoicing. Iamaleava checked all the boxes in Tennessee's win against Chattanooga. He's the real deal. 
Call him '<a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/08/31/nico-iamaleava-tennessee-football-heismanaleava-heisman-trophy/74850636007/" aria-label="Link Heismanaleava">Heismanaleava</a>?' 
Maybe we're jumping the gun on that one. Just by a smidge.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> and <a href="https://x.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> revisit Iamaleava's splendid showing in Week 1 and what it means for the Vols' playoff aspirations. Tennessee didn't answer all the questions against Chattanooga. We'll get a better feel for its defense, the secondary in particular, when the <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/09/04/sec-football-predictions-nc-state-vs-tennessee-texas-michigan-alabama/75007569007/" aria-label="Link Vols face North Carolina State">Vols face North Carolina State</a> on Saturday.
As for the Nico hype train? It's rumbling down the tracks. All gas, no brakes.

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.

We're talking Vols' Nico Iamaleava as 'Heismanaleava,' but are we overreacting?

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

Preseason projections of Tennessee's 2024 record tend to come down to two options: 10-2 or 9-3.

That might not sound like much difference, but in the 12-team College Football Playoff era, it's probably the difference between making the playoff or not. Vols fans have their sights set on making the playoff in Josh Heupel's fourth season. Tennessee drew an accommodating schedule, and anticipation for Nico Iamaleava's first season as starting quarterback is off the charts. 

Still, boobytrap games like those against Oklahoma and Florida could ensnare Tennessee's playoff hopes.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams debate whether this season is playoff or bust for Tennessee. 

Would 9-3 be an acceptable result in Big Orange Country? Probably not. 

Not with a 5-star quarterback. Not with a schedule that includes just four preseason ranked teams. Heupel enjoys job security. He's entrenched, playoff or not. But, he should know expectations will increase after he delivered three straight winning seasons.

Here's the thing about the playoff tripling in size: It's easier to make the playoff, but fan frustrations for missing the playoff might triple.

Preseason projections of Tennessee's 2024 record tend to come down to two options: <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/08/26/tennessee-football-predictions-college-football-2024/74910104007/" aria-label="Link 10-2 or 9-3">10-2 or 9-3</a>.
That might not sound like much difference, but in the 12-team College Football Playoff era, it's probably the difference between making the playoff or not. Vols fans have their sights set on making the playoff in Josh Heupel's fourth season. Tennessee drew an accommodating schedule, and anticipation for Nico Iamaleava's first season as starting quarterback is off the charts. 
Still, boobytrap games like those against Oklahoma and Florida could ensnare Tennessee's playoff hopes.
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> debate whether this season is playoff or bust for Tennessee. 
Would 9-3 be an acceptable result in Big Orange Country? Probably not. 
Not with a 5-star quarterback. Not with a schedule that includes just four preseason ranked teams. Heupel enjoys job security. He's entrenched, playoff or not. But, he should know expectations will increase after he delivered three straight winning seasons.
Here's the thing about the playoff tripling in size: It's easier to make the playoff, but fan frustrations for missing the playoff might triple.

Why it's College Football Playoff or bust for Tennessee Vols. And 9-3 won't cut it

Preseason practice offers a glimpse at depth chart strengths and weaknesses. We're left with some questions.

One player we're not questioning: Nico Iamaleava. The buzz around Tennessee's redshirt freshman quarterback is reminiscent of the hype surrounding Peyton Manning, Heath Shuler and Condredge Holloway. Iamaleava is worthy of that hype.

Some other positions are on squishier footing.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss three burning questions that remain unanswered as preseason practice winds down and the Week 1 game against Chattanooga nears.

Among the topics are Tennessee's health at running back and wide receiver, and what the heck is going on with that defensive back rotation?

Preseason practice offers a glimpse at depth chart strengths and weaknesses. We're left with some questions.
One player we're not questioning: <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/08/15/nico-iamaleava-injury-update-tennessee-football-scrimmage-takeaways-donte-thornton/74710882007/" aria-label="Link Nico Iamaleava">Nico Iamaleava</a>. The buzz around Tennessee's redshirt freshman quarterback is reminiscent of the hype surrounding Peyton Manning, Heath Shuler and Condredge Holloway. Iamaleava is worthy of that hype.
Some other positions are on squishier footing.
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> discuss three burning questions that remain unanswered as preseason practice winds down and the Week 1 game against Chattanooga nears.
Among the topics are Tennessee's health at running back and wide receiver, and what the heck is going on with that defensive back rotation?

Three burning questions as Tennessee football winds down preseason practice

We're talking Vols' Nico Iamaleava as 'Heismanaleava,' but are we overreacting?

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