From Knoxville to Auburn and SEC football locales throughout the South, fans can rejoice in Nick Saban's retirement. Saban was especially hard on Tennessee. He went 16-1 against the Vols as Alabama's coach. Josh Heupel, in 2022, became the first UT coach to beat Saban's Tide.

Alabama hired an accomplished coach in Kalen DeBoer, but it nonetheless may need a minute to adjust to life without Saban. Several talented Tide players are transferring.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks discuss which programs benefit the most from Saban's retirement.

Tennessee will host Alabama during the 2024 season. Suddenly, that game looks more winnable than ever. That puts more pressure on Heupel to produce a victory, but, pressure aside, this is good news for Tennessee. Saban's retirement increases the Vols' chance of qualifying for next season's College Football Playoff.

But, Tennessee doesn't top the list of beneficiaries of Saban's retirement.

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/

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From <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/01/10/tennessee-football-nick-saban-retire-alabama/72181981007/" aria-label="Link Knoxville">Knoxville</a> to Auburn and SEC football locales throughout the South, fans can rejoice in <a href="https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/football/2024/01/13/alabama-football-coach-kalen-deboer-unbothered-by-nick-saban-shadow/72215410007/" aria-label="Link Nick Saban's retirement">Nick Saban's retirement</a>. Saban was especially hard on Tennessee. He went 16-1 against the Vols as Alabama's coach. Josh Heupel, in 2022, became the first UT coach to beat Saban's Tide.
<a href="https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/football/2024/01/13/kalen-deboer-alabama-nick-saban-retirement-press-conference/72211891007/" aria-label="Link Alabama hired an accomplished coach in Kalen DeBoer">Alabama hired an accomplished coach in Kalen DeBoer</a>, but it nonetheless may need a minute to adjust to life without Saban. Several talented <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/01/10/tennessee-football-nick-saban-retire-alabama/72181981007/" aria-label="Link Tide players are transferring">Tide players are transferring</a>.
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> discuss which programs benefit the most from Saban's retirement.
Tennessee will host Alabama during the 2024 season. Suddenly, that game looks more winnable than ever. That puts more pressure on Heupel to produce a victory, but, pressure aside, this is good news for Tennessee. Saban's retirement increases the Vols' chance of qualifying for next season's College Football Playoff.
But, Tennessee doesn't top the list of beneficiaries of Saban's retirement.
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.

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