Tennessee football played like a complete team against Oklahoma. 

Was it Josh Heupel's most impressive victory as Tennessee's coach? No. But, more so than any other game, it showed that the Vols can win with defense. And wins like that will be needed as Tennessee aims to advance from being a good program to becoming a national championship contender.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams weigh in on Tennessee's national championship potential.

They also push back on the argument that Heupel coached too conservatively against Oklahoma. 

And, they engage with a doomsday scenario that could keep Tennessee out of the playoff if the Vols finish 10-2.

Tennessee football played like <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/09/22/tennessee-football-score-oklahoma-sooners-josh-heupel/75244675007/" aria-label="Link a complete team">a complete team</a> against Oklahoma. 
Was it Josh Heupel's most impressive victory as Tennessee's coach? No. But, more so than any other game, it showed that the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2024/09/21/tennessee-josh-heupel-oklahoma/75244673007/" aria-label="Link Vols can win with defense">Vols can win with defense</a>. And wins like that will be needed as Tennessee aims to advance from being a good program to becoming a national championship contender.
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> weigh in on Tennessee's national championship potential.
They also push back on the argument that Heupel coached too conservatively against Oklahoma. 
And, they engage with a doomsday scenario that could keep Tennessee out of the playoff if the Vols finish 10-2.

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.

Why we're taking Tennessee football seriously as a national championship contender

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