The Volunteer State

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The Volunteer Stateinactive

Publisher |: USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Media Type |: audio

Podknife tags |: College Basketball,; College Football,; College & High School Sports,; Sports & Recreation,; University of Tennessee Volunteers

Categories Via RSS |: Sports

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.

People |: John Adams (@johnadamskns),; Blake Toppmeyer (@btoppmeyer),; Mike Wilson (@bymikewilson)
Country Of Origin |: USA
Produced In |: Knoxville, TN
Frequency |: Weekly
Explicit |: No

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138 Available Episodes (138 Total) / Average duration: 00:28:22

Date Duration Most Reviewed Highest Rated

138 Available Episodes (138 Total)Average duration: 00:28:22

Apr 20, 2023

00:31:17

Tennessee football is coming off its best season in more than two decades, but ESPN's analytics don't predict a repeat of that in 2023. Instead, ESPN's Football Power Index has Tennessee listed at No. 12 in the preseason, with a projected 8-4 record.

Vols fans may say this is just the latest example of ESPN bias, although the FPI is built on a formulaic approach, rather than subjective debate.

On today's episode, Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's Mike Wilson react to Tennessee's spot in the FPI and size up which SEC teams might be overrated in ESPN's analysis.

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

Apr 11, 2023

00:39:22

Tennessee and Jeremy Pruitt each will make their case in front of the NCAA Committee on Infractions next week throughout a high-stakes, three-day hearing that will determine the sanctions for each party after a years-long NCAA investigation into rules violations by Pruitt and his coaching staff.

The case involves allegations of 18 NCAA Level I violations. Pruitt, the former Vols coach fired for cause in January 2021, faces the possibility of a show-cause penalty. The NCAA has not publicly tipped its hand as to what penalties Tennessee might face.

The Vols are accused of a failure to monitor. They cooperated with the NCAA investigation – the association has credited Tennessee for this – and UT believes it took proper actions in firing Pruitt and several of his staff members once the university administration became aware of the malfeasance, pertaining to recruiting violations and improper benefits.

On today's episode, Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's Adam Sparks and John Adams set the stage for the April 19-21 infractions committee hearing.

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

Apr 05, 2023

00:28:28

When Tennessee football secured a commitment from four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger last week, it supplied evidence that Nico Iamaleava is no one-off quarterback recruiting prize.

While Merklinger doesn’t come with the recruiting star profile of Iamaleava, he’s a top-100 prospect, and his commitment helps solidify Tennessee’s quarterback depth chart for the 2024 season. He’s the sixth commitment to Tennessee’s 2024 recruiting class.

On today's episode Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel’s Adam Sparks and John Adams assess what Merklinger’s commitment means for 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

Mar 28, 2023

00:35:11

Tennessee's transfers are capable contributors, and Nico Iamaleava has taken to being Joe Milton's understudy as he learns Josh Heupel's offense.

Those are among the observations that stand out after the Vols' first week of spring practice.

Practice will continue throughout the next few weeks, leading up to the April 15 spring game.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams identify some key narratives emerging from Vols practice.

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

Mar 21, 2023

00:23:38

Tennessee men's basketball supplied a masterpiece of brutality in its NCAA Tournament second-round victory against Duke. That positions the Vols just one win away from their second Elite Eight in program history.

Losses by 1-seed Purdue and 2-seed Marquette open this region, but that doesn't mean the Vols will breeze to the Final Four.

On today's episode, Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's Mike Wilson and John Adams assess the remaining hurdles in Tennessee's path.

Mar 14, 2023

00:25:55

Are you thinking about picking 13th-seeded Louisiana to upset No. 4 Tennessee basketball in the first round of the NCAA Tournament? CBS analysts Seth Davis and Clark Kellogg positioned the Vols as being vulnerable to an upset during Sunday's selection show.

Resist that urge. The Vols ought to be good for at least one win. What about two?

On today's "The Volunteer State," hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Mike Wilson and John Adams handicap Tennessee's chances for a prolonged stay in March Madness.

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

Mar 10, 2023

00:35:00

The Joe Milton vs. Nico Iamaleava quarterback battle is the easy narrative entering Tennessee's spring practice, but there are other pressing questions. Milton proved to be a viable heir to run the offense during the Orange Bowl. What about the Vols' defense? Any improvement on that front?

On today's episode, Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams consider some burning questions as the Vols approach spring practice, which will culminate in the spring game on April 15.

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

Mar 03, 2023

00:31:15

A little thing like a three-game suspension can't stop Tony Vitello or his Tennessee baseball team.

The Vols' lightning rod of a coach wasn't in the dugout for its sweep of Dayton, but while that slap on the wrist might point to Vitello being a marked man, it won't slow down his team's potential to reach the College World Series.

In a boost, highly touted transfer Maui Ahuna gained clearance to play this week. No. 3 Tennessee will host Gonzaga this weekend.

On today's episode, Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's John Adams discuss whether Vitello's program is a fun distraction or a legitimate candidate to produce Tennessee's next national championship.

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

Feb 15, 2023

00:40:37

How many times must Josh Heupel coach against his alma mater before that narrative grows stale? We're thinking one or two reunions ought to exhaust that storyline.

Tennessee and Oklahoma likely will meet once every two years after OU joins the SEC in 2024. Heupel once quarterbacked the Sooners to a national championship, but he was later fired from Bob Stoops' coaching staff.

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's Adam Sparks unpack what Oklahoma and Texas entering the SEC in 2024 means for 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

Feb 08, 2023

00:41:12

Nico Iamaleava is the nation’s top freshman prospect, and he may be the most-anticipated Tennessee Vols signee in many years. He's enrolled and will participate in spring practice. But should Tennessee fans expect Iamaleava to start as a freshman? Should they prefer he doesn’t?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks reassess the Milton-Iamaleava debate and explain why Milton retaining the reins may be most beneficial to the Vols and Iamaleava.

Peyton Manning, Casey Clausen and Erik Ainge each started as freshmen, but they endured growing pains. Giving Iamaleava the keys may result in this season becoming a rebuilding-year bridge into 2024.

An opening stretch of Virginia, Austin Peay, Florida and Texas-San Antonio provides Milton a runway for a blistering start. And Milton delivering a strong September wouldn’t be bad for Iamaleava, either. Milton playing well means keeping the pressure off of the freshman and allowing Iamaleava to grasp Heupel’s offense throughout the year while entering as a reserve in lopsided victories.

Milton playing well while Iamaleava earns seasoning as a backup sounds like the ideal win-win-win.

Also in this episode, we take a look at UT's 2023 recruiting class and Josh Heupel's new contract.

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

Apr 20 | 00:31:17

ESPN bias?! Latest power index says Tennessee football will fall back to the pack

Apr 11 | 00:39:22

What to expect when Tennessee Vols and Jeremy Pruitt clash at NCAA infractions hearing

Apr 05 | 00:28:28

Key takeaways from 2024 QB Jake Merklinger committing to Tennessee football

Mar 28 | 00:35:11

Observations after one week of Tennessee spring practice, including Nico Iamaleava

Mar 21 | 00:23:38

Tennessee basketball to Final Four? Maybe, but here's a case for FAU, Michigan State, K-State

Mar 14 | 00:25:55

Why Tennessee basketball is more likely to reach NCAA's Sweet 16 than lose to Louisiana

Mar 10 | 00:35:00

Five burning Tennessee football questions as Vols approach spring practice

Mar 03 | 00:31:15

Football, basketball or baseball? Which Tennessee team will produce next national championship?

Feb 15 | 00:40:37

Why Texas football will be a better SEC rival for Tennessee Vols than Oklahoma

Feb 08 | 00:41:12

Why Joe Milton starting 2023 Vols season hot would benefit Nico Iamaleava

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