Paul Finebaum's optimism grows for Tennessee football.

The SEC Network's opinion king emerged from SEC media days feeling more bullish about the Vols' playoff chances and their place within the conference pecking order.

Is that sunny outlook warranted?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks re-evaluate Tennessee's playoff prospects and assess whether their estimation of Tennessee has improved, regressed or stayed about the same throughout the offseason.

Their verdict: A 9-3 record is more likely than a playoff berth, but an accommodating schedule nonetheless helps make Tennessee a playoff contender.

Also in this episode, an update on the latest developments in the Neyland Entertainment District project that would bring a hotel, restaurant and bar to liven the area around the stadium near the riverfront, at the expense of the G10 parking garage.

<a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2022/10/18/paul-finebaum-tennessee-football-casket-before-alabama-game/69565602007/" aria-label="Link Paul Finebaum">Paul Finebaum</a>'s optimism grows for <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/07/25/tennessee-football-josh-heupel-alabama-georgia/74379869007/" aria-label="Link Tennessee football">Tennessee football</a>.
The SEC Network's opinion king emerged from SEC media days feeling more bullish about the Vols' playoff chances and their place within the conference pecking order.
Is that sunny outlook warranted?
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://x.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> re-evaluate Tennessee's playoff prospects and assess whether their estimation of Tennessee has improved, regressed or stayed about the same throughout the offseason.
Their verdict: A 9-3 record is more likely than a playoff berth, but an accommodating schedule nonetheless helps make Tennessee a playoff contender.
Also in this episode, an update on the <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/picture-gallery/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/07/24/tennessee-football-neyland-entertainment-district-basketball-arena-knoxville/74530141007/" aria-label="Link latest developments in the Neyland Entertainment District project">latest developments in the Neyland Entertainment District project</a> that would bring a hotel, restaurant and bar to liven the area around the stadium near the riverfront, at the expense of the G10 parking garage.

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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