The Volunteer State

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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.

Recent Episodes
  • Can Joey Aguilar thrive as Tennessee QB? Plus, Vols’ portal strategy
    Apr 29, 2025 – 42:22
  • The fallout from Nico Iamaleava’s exit, and where Tennessee turns now
    Apr 15, 2025 – 47:35
  • What Josh Heupel should change in Tennessee’s new offensive scheme
    Mar 27, 2025 – 49:27
  • Which Tennessee football position worries you the most? Let’s rank them
    Mar 5, 2025 – 01:01:41
  • Which new College Football Playoff format is best for Tennessee?
    Feb 21, 2025 – 59:14
  • Josh Heupel moves on from Jeremy Pruitt recruits. Still relevant or let it go?
    Jan 28, 2025 – 53:10
  • Is Tennessee reloading or rebuilding its 2025 football roster?
    Jan 7, 2025 – 58:43
  • How many Tennessee fans will be at Ohio State for CFP game?
    Dec 18, 2024 – 01:00:00
  • Mulling Tennessee playoff game while waiting on David Sanders to sign
    Dec 5, 2024 – 47:46
  • These teams could help Tennessee get into College Football Playoff
    Nov 19, 2024 – 45:44
  • Is Tennessee headed for Georgia ambush with Nico Iamaleava injury or big win?
    Nov 12, 2024 – 30:43
  • CFP selection committee likes Tennessee football. Will it last?
    Nov 7, 2024 – 50:57
  • Here’s who Tennessee fans should root against in College Football Playoff race
    Oct 30, 2024 – 45:24
  • These five SEC teams could threaten Tennessee football’s playoff bid
    Oct 23, 2024 – 26:07
  • Is Tennessee football facing playoff elimination game against Alabama?
    Oct 15, 2024 – 34:11
  • Here’s what is wrong with Tennessee offense and why it matters vs Florida
    Oct 8, 2024 – 46:14
  • How Tim Banks turned Tennessee football fans from critics to staunch supporters
    Oct 2, 2024 – 41:20
  • Why we're taking Tennessee football seriously as a national championship contender
    Sep 25, 2024 – 28:07
  • Why Tennessee vs. Oklahoma is bigger for Brent Venables than Josh Heupel
    Sep 18, 2024 – 38:36
  • Can't get no respect: Why Tennessee football still gets snubbed in rankings
    Sep 11, 2024 – 34:45
  • We're talking Vols' Nico Iamaleava as 'Heismanaleava,' but are we overreacting?
    Sep 4, 2024 – 24:35
  • Why it's College Football Playoff or bust for Tennessee Vols. And 9-3 won't cut it
    Aug 28, 2024 – 29:38
  • Three burning questions as Tennessee football winds down preseason practice
    Aug 22, 2024 – 34:13
  • What Tennessee football's branding deal with Pilot Corporation means for Neyland Stadium
    Aug 14, 2024 – 33:12
  • What Josh Heupel's recruiting hot streak means for Tennessee football
    Aug 7, 2024 – 33:38
  • A most unusual trip to cover Todd Helton's Hall of Fame induction via plane, train, automobile
    Jul 30, 2024 – 28:55
  • Why Paul Finebaum is all in on Tennessee football – but we aren't quite there
    Jul 25, 2024 – 37:18
  • Greg McElroy hypes Nico Iamaleava’s Heisman Trophy campaign. Is Tennessee quarterback deserving?
    Jul 17, 2024 – 34:37
  • Why Tennessee football should brace for disrespect at SEC media days
    Jul 10, 2024 – 28:09
  • Which Tennessee team will be next to win national title? Why Vols basketball is best bet
    Jul 5, 2024 – 27:15
  • Tennessee baseball remains College World Series favorite, but which teams are top threats?
    Jun 17, 2024 – 24:17
  • Why Tony Vitello ranted about Tennessee baseball's success and a College World Series preview
    Jun 12, 2024 – 30:06
  • Why Tennessee baseball is equipped to win a national championship – for real this time
    Jun 5, 2024 – 26:03
  • How Josh Heupel, Tennessee football avoid NCAA's transfer 'epidemic'
    May 15, 2024 – 30:18
  • Kim Caldwell's Lady Vols aren't ready for UConn – yet. Can she change that?
    May 9, 2024 – 31:41
  • Why Josh Heupel does (or doesn't) need to produce more NFL Draft picks at Tennessee
    May 2, 2024 – 30:40
  • 6 burning Tennessee football questions after spring game, as transfer portal opens
    Apr 17, 2024 – 38:02
  • Grading Lady Vols' hire of Kim Caldwell: Not an 'A,' but passing grade
    Apr 11, 2024 – 37:38
  • Who should Lady Vols hire? Here are 6 swing-big options, plus a fallback plan
    Apr 4, 2024 – 42:38
  • Tennessee basketball to Final Four? Maybe, but here's a case for Purdue or Creighton
    Mar 26, 2024 – 27:11
  • How far will Tennessee basketball go in March Madness? Our experts picks are in
    Mar 20, 2024 – 26:45
  • Why winning SEC Tournament does (and doesn't) matter to Tennessee basketball
    Mar 14, 2024 – 20:34
  • 4 Tennessee football storylines to monitor during Vols' spring practice
    Mar 7, 2024 – 28:49
  • What's the most important game on Tennessee football schedule? You can probably guess
    Feb 29, 2024 – 34:34
  • Why Tennessee basketball is built for March Madness. Hint: Dalton Knecht
    Feb 22, 2024 – 24:28
  • How Tennessee football can use NCAA investigation as a recruiting pitch
    Feb 15, 2024 – 32:09
  • In Tennessee vs. NCAA lawsuit, here's what's coming next and what to expect
    Feb 8, 2024 – 30:58
  • Who is in greater danger: Tennessee football or the NCAA?
    Feb 2, 2024 – 26:56
  • Four things we think after George MacIntyre's commitment to Tennessee football
    Jan 25, 2024 – 27:44
  • Which SEC team benefits most from Nick Saban's retirement? From Georgia to Tennessee
    Jan 19, 2024 – 33:01
Recent Reviews
  • VB Vol fan
    Dig a little deeper
    The conversation about Heupel’s shortcomings in the transfer portal and Elarbee’s preference for veterans just ignored Lance Heard’s addition last year. Also, Jerrod McCoy, Andre Turpentine, Keenan Pili and JaVonta Payton were all Heupel transfers. Not bad if you ask me.🤔
  • Dfg1977
    These hosts sit down to pee
    If you want to listen to two effeminate guys give horrible uninformed opinions on your favorite team, this is the POD for you!
  • Yojimbodjd
    Great podcast
    I enjoy the discussion and banter between Blake and John. Helps keep me connected to my beloved Vols when time is limited. Thanks guys! Keep up the great work in all that you do!
  • Love the Logo
    In Regular Rotation
    I listen to a handful of podcasts and this one is always in my regular rotation. Not just reporting on Tennessee Football but they add creative spins such as guessing odds, mock drafts, and rankings. Where else can you get your Tennessee fix from a multi-published author and text group entrepreneur.
  • bobvol1868
    Great podcast
    I enjoy John Adams. I know he has the ability to get under the skin of some vol fans, but historically he’s been on the right side of most debates. I highly recommended.
  • VolFanFromFL
    Blake Toppmeyer
    Blake Toppmeyer does a great job covering Tennessee Football. John is like listening to a Sloth covering football
  • 822loxahatchee
    Great podcast
    Both guys are knowledgeable and they have an enjoyable synergy together.
  • BlondStranger
    I've Tried Really Hard to Like This...
    but John Adams is such an insufferable windbag. He routinely bloviates opinions that simply aren't backed up by facts. Furthermore, it is a common occurence for him to state that he doesn't know about a particular person, or subject, only to go on and spew his incessant negativity about said person, or subject. I don't see how someone who has been a sports journalist for so long can be so poorly informed. His "jokes," if you can call them that, routinely fall flat. He seems far more interested in denigrating anything to do with Tennessee than he is in informing the audience, or having a fact-based discussion on the topics at hand. If John was kicked to the curb, my rating would easily jump to 4 stars, as Blake Toppmeyer is excellent! He knows his stuff! His criticisms, unlike those of Adams, are nearly always on point, and backed up with facts and/or sound logic. There is no such thing as logic, or even fairness, in Adam's world. He's one of these folks who seems to always feel better about himself by putting others down, as though pushing them down acually elevates him. It's kind of sad, when you think about it.
  • jhmcjr
    Very good podcast
    Both John and Blake are outstanding writers and bring a wealth of knowledge about Tennessee athletics to the podcast. Their interactions are good and they bring a touch of humor with them. Overall, an outstanding podcast.
  • 865Ang
    Great podcast
    These guys know their stuff. Great pregame and postgame analysis.
  • 67IU fan
    Tennessee vs IU
    Indiana is better than you think. Get ready for a depressing Jan 2nd.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.