Perhaps it goes without saying. We’ll say it anyway.

The Third Saturday in October will be the most important game on Tennessee’s 2024 schedule.

Oh, sure, we realize the importance of a few other games. When the Vols face Georgia in mid-November, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs may well be ranked No. 1. Tennessee’s September date at Oklahoma, Josh Heupel’s alma mater, will be another biggie. And be careful about overlooking an October game against Florida. 

Still, it feels as if Tennessee’s path to the College Football Playoff could go through Kalen DeBoer and his Crimson Tide. 

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks assess Tennessee’s schedule and its path to the playoff.

The 12-team playoff is big enough for a handful of SEC teams. The outcome of Alabama-Tennessee may decide one of the playoff’s final at-large bids.

Also in this episode, Sparks ofers an update on the latest in the state of Tennessee’s lawsuit against the NCAA and the status of the NCAA’s investigation into the Vols.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Perhaps it goes without saying. We’ll say it anyway.
The <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2023/10/18/tennessee-football-alabama-rivalry-history-cigar-tradition-vols/71201530007/" aria-label="Link Third Saturday in October">Third Saturday in October</a> will be the most important game on <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2023/12/13/tennessee-football-schedule-2024-dates-opponents/71834403007/" aria-label="Link Tennessee’s 2024 schedule">Tennessee’s 2024 schedule</a>.
Oh, sure, we realize the importance of a few other games. When the Vols face Georgia in mid-November, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs may well be ranked No. 1. Tennessee’s September date at Oklahoma, Josh Heupel’s alma mater, will be another biggie. And be careful about overlooking an October game against Florida. 
Still, it feels as if Tennessee’s path to the College Football Playoff could go through Kalen DeBoer and his Crimson Tide. 
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> assess Tennessee’s schedule and its path to the playoff.
The 12-team playoff is big enough for a handful of SEC teams. The outcome of Alabama-Tennessee may decide one of the playoff’s final at-large bids.
Also in this episode, Sparks ofers an update on the latest in the state of Tennessee’s lawsuit against the NCAA and the status of the NCAA’s investigation into the Vols.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 
Connect on Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/">https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/</a>
Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

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.