Advertise on podcast: A to Z Sports Podcast Network

Everyone is picking South Carolina against Tennessee.But are they making the same mistake everyone made before Tennessee's previous losses in Columbia?The latest Big Orange Podcast breaks down the Tennessee-South Carolina matchup and explains why the Vols may be much better equipped to avoid the trap this time around.Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan discuss Tennessee's first trip to Williams-Brice Stadium since the disastrous 2022 loss and explain why this year's team is fundamentally different.The Vols are 6-1 after beating Alabama, but they enter Columbia as 2.5-point underdogs.South Carolina has a strong home-field advantage, a talented roster and a defense that ranks among the better units in the SEC.But the guys believe the national narrative around this game may be driven too heavily by Tennessee's history in Columbia.In 2016, the Vols suffered a devastating loss at South Carolina.In 2022, Tennessee entered Columbia with College Football Playoff and SEC Championship aspirations before getting blown out by the Gamecocks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Tennessee's defense actually the best defense in America? The latest Big Orange Podcast takes a deep dive into Jim Knowles' remarkable first season as Tennessee's defensive coordinator and asks whether the Vols have developed the best defense in college football. Zach Ragan and Charlie Burris discuss the incredible transformation of Tennessee's defense and how far the unit has exceeded expectations entering the 2026 season. Before the season, the expectation was simply for Tennessee to improve. A top-40 defense would have been considered a major success. Instead, the Vols are now among the nation's statistical leaders in nearly every major defensive category. Tennessee ranks first nationally in sacks, second in explosive passes allowed, third in defensive efficiency, third in tackles for loss and third in fourth-down defense. The Vols also rank among the national leaders in limiting explosive plays, pass defense, scoring defense and takeaways. And the numbers don't even tell the entire story. Tennessee's defense completely overwhelmed Alabama in Knoxville, holding the Crimson Tide to just 200 total yards and making Alabama's offense look uncomfortable for most of the afternoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did Tennessee just find the formula it needs to win the rest of the season?The Vols dominated Alabama in Knoxville, and the latest Big Orange Podcast breaks down what Tennessee's win over the Crimson Tide revealed about this team.Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan discuss the biggest lessons from Tennessee's impressive victory, including the emergence of a new offensive identity, the continued improvement of the offensive line and the importance of complementary football.Tennessee didn't need to score 40 or 50 points to beat Alabama.Instead, the Vols methodically moved the football, controlled the line of scrimmage and repeatedly ran the ball against the Crimson Tide.That was one of the most encouraging developments of the entire season.After weeks of questions about Tennessee's offense and whether the Vols could consistently move the football against elite SEC competition, Tennessee put together one of its most complete offensive performances of the season.The offensive line deserves a huge amount of credit.Tennessee was able to push Alabama off the ball and create running lanes for DeSean Bishop, who continued to emerge as one of the most important players on the offense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can the Tennessee Vols beat Alabama for the third straight time in Knoxville?Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down the biggest matchup of the season on the latest Big Orange Podcast and explain exactly what Tennessee needs to do to pull off the upset against the Crimson Tide.The Vols enter the game as 7.5-point home underdogs, but Tennessee has a legitimate path to winning.The biggest key is obvious: the defense has to play like the defense we've seen throughout the season.Jim Knowles' unit has been one of the biggest reasons for optimism around Tennessee, and the guys believe the Vols can hold Alabama around 20 points if everything goes right.That would put the pressure on Tennessee's offense to simply score enough to win.George MacIntyre will make his first start against Alabama, and the young quarterback could be the biggest variable in the game.MacIntyre played well enough at Arkansas to give Tennessee confidence, but Alabama is a completely different challenge. He cannot make the same mistakes he made against Arkansas, particularly the interception that came from failing to see the safety.At the same time, Tennessee cannot play scared.The Vols will need explosive plays against Alabama, and Charlie and Zach believe MacIntyre will have to take some chances down the field. Tennessee isn't likely to sustain several long touchdown drives against a defense this talented, which means the Vols need to capitalize when opportunities arise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols have a massive quarterback decision to make before Alabama, and the latest Big Orange Podcast has a bold idea: why not use both George McIntyre and Faizon Brandon?Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's quarterback situation after George McIntyre led the Vols to a win at Arkansas and explain why they believe McIntyre should start against Alabama, even if Brandon is healthy.McIntyre has now won both of his SEC games as Tennessee's quarterback and took another step forward against Arkansas. He made several important throws, handled pressure and helped Tennessee escape Fayetteville with its first win there since 2001.That matters heading into Alabama.The guys believe McIntyre has earned the right to start against the Crimson Tide, particularly because he now has more SEC game experience than Brandon and has spent the past two games operating Tennessee's offense.But that doesn't mean Tennessee should completely abandon Faizon Brandon.Brandon's biggest strength right now may be his athleticism and ability to run the football. That leads to an intriguing idea: Tennessee could potentially use McIntyre as its primary quarterback while bringing Brandon into the game for designed runs, RPOs, short-yardage situations or other packages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols are 5-1, but the latest Big Orange Podcast asks whether the current state of the program is actually good enough.Zach Ragan and Charlie Burris discuss the growing debate among Tennessee fans after the Vols escaped Arkansas and look at the bigger questions surrounding Josh Heupel, the offense and Tennessee's roster construction.Tennessee finally won in Fayetteville for the first time since 2001, but the victory did little to quiet concerns about the offense.That has created a split among Tennessee fans.Some believe the Vols are 5-1, ranked in the top 15 and still firmly in the College Football Playoff race, so fans should simply enjoy the wins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George MacIntyre gets the biggest opportunity of his young career when Tennessee travels to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas.In the latest Big Orange Podcast, Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan preview Tennessee vs. Arkansas and explain why this game could tell us a lot about the future of the Vols' quarterback position.MacIntyre is reportedly set to make his first SEC start after replacing Faizon Brandon against Auburn. Brandon is listed as questionable, and while Tennessee could potentially see him return, the biggest storyline heading into Arkansas is MacIntyre.He looked composed against Auburn, but this will be completely different.MacIntyre has spent the entire week preparing as Tennessee's starting quarterback. He'll be responsible for executing the game plan from the opening snap, rather than entering a game after the starter has struggled.Charlie and Zach discuss why that distinction matters and why Arkansas provides MacIntyre with an opportunity to really show what he can do.One of the biggest questions is whether Tennessee allows McIntyre to attack downfield.The quarterback's arm talent and ability to make deeper throws were among the strengths associated with his game coming into the season. The guys believe Arkansas could provide an ideal opportunity to let him open things up while still relying heavily on Tennessee's dominant rushing attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols can still make the College Football Playoff, and the reason might be the best defense Josh Heupel has had during his time in Knoxville.Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan recalibrate their expectations for Tennessee after the Vols' win over Auburn and explain why this team still has a legitimate path to the playoff.The biggest reason for optimism is Jim Knowles' defense.Tennessee's defense has been outstanding through the first part of the season, holding Texas to only 20 points and continuing to make big plays against Auburn. Charlie and Zach believe the defense is good enough to beat virtually anyone on Tennessee's schedule when the unit is playing at its best.The question is whether the offense can do enough.Tennessee doesn't necessarily need to become an elite offense. The Vols may simply need average quarterback play, a functional offensive line and enough explosive plays from their running backs and receivers to complement the defense.That is what makes the quarterback situation so important.With George McIntyre potentially taking over for Faizon Brandon, Tennessee needs to figure out whether McIntyre can provide the level of play necessary to take advantage of an elite defense.Charlie and Zach also discuss whether Faizon Brandon could eventually return to the starting lineup and what Tennessee needs from either quarterback moving forward.The offensive line is another major variable.Tennessee played better up front after McIntyre entered the Auburn game, but injuries and depth remain concerns. If the Vols can keep the offensive line healthy and find a quarterback who can consistently hit the throws that are available, the ceiling for this team remains very high. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan preview Tennessee vs. Auburn and break down the growing concerns surrounding the Vols' offensive line, Faizon Brandon and the team's ability to bounce back after the loss to Texas.Tennessee has already lost Wendell Moe for the season, and his absence exposed just how thin the Vols are along the offensive line. Now Tennessee is dealing with another major question in the form of Shamurad Umarov, who is listed as questionable heading into the Auburn game.After allowing 10 sacks against Texas, the Vols simply cannot afford another major injury up front.Charlie and Zach discuss the potential offensive line combinations Tennessee could use against Auburn and explain why the situation could become extremely difficult if another player is unavailable.That puts even more pressure on Faizon Brandon.The Tennessee quarterback is coming off the toughest game of his young career against Texas, and the guys discuss reports that his throwing shoulder is not 100%. Brandon is expected to play, but Tennessee has to be careful about how much it asks him to run after he took a beating against the Longhorns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Heupel and Tennessee have a major problem to fix after the Vols' loss to Texas. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's late-game execution and explain why the problems that showed up during the final drive against Texas are part of a larger trend under Heupel. Tennessee had a golden opportunity against Texas. The Vols recovered an onside kick near midfield with enough time to potentially drive for a game-winning field goal or touchdown. Instead, Tennessee moved backward, committed penalties, struggled to protect Faizon Brandon and ultimately failed to give itself the best possible chance on the final play. Charlie and Zach break down the final drive play by play, including the offensive line problems, the penalties, the personnel decisions and Tennessee's decision not to spike the football before attempting a final Hail Mary. The guys also point out that this isn't an isolated incident. They revisit several other late-game and end-of-half situations from the Heupel era, including games against Alabama, Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Georgia. The 2022 Alabama game stands out as an example of Tennessee executing perfectly in a late-game situation, but the guys argue that the Vols have struggled far too often in similar moments since then. Is this a coaching problem? A play-calling problem? A personnel problem? Or some combination of all three? Charlie and Zach also discuss the larger offensive issues surrounding Tennessee. The defense has taken a massive step forward under Jim Knowles, but the offense has struggled to find the same edge and consistency. The guys question whether Heupel needs a stronger, more independent offensive voice alongside him and whether Joey Halzle is providing enough of a contrasting perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols' loss to Texas exposed a major problem that could have a huge impact on the rest of the 2026 season. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's offensive line issues after the Vols were dominated in the trenches against Texas, allowing an incredible 10 sacks in a game Tennessee ultimately lost by only three points. The offensive line was already a concern entering the season, but the performance against Texas raised much bigger questions about whether Tennessee can protect Faizon Brandon well enough to compete at the highest level of the SEC. Brandon is only 18 years old and was playing in his first SEC game against one of the best defensive fronts in college football. Charlie and Zach discuss why Brandon deserves some grace for his performance, while also explaining why Tennessee has to do a much better job of protecting its young quarterback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols are taking on the No. 1 team in America, and Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan are both picking Tennessee to win. In the final Big Orange Podcast of the week, Charlie and Zach give their complete Tennessee vs. Texas preview and explain why they believe the Vols have a real chance to pull off the upset at Neyland Stadium. The biggest question heading into the game is whether Tennessee's defense can keep Texas from taking control. Jim Knowles has Tennessee's defense playing at a much higher level, and the guys believe the Vols have a legitimate defensive game plan for Arch Manning. Texas has not consistently shown the explosive offense many expected this season, and that could give Tennessee an opportunity to keep the game close. Arch Manning enters Neyland Stadium under enormous pressure. Charlie and Zach discuss the expectations surrounding the Texas quarterback, his recent struggles and why they don't expect this to be the game where he finally puts everything together. If Tennessee can pressure Manning and force him to make difficult decisions, the Vols may be able to keep Texas' offense from producing enough points to win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peyton Manning and Arch Manning are about to be on opposite sides of one of the biggest games in Tennessee football history. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan discuss the unique situation surrounding the Manning family as Texas comes to Neyland Stadium to face Tennessee. Peyton Manning has already said that he will be rooting for his nephew Arch to play well, but that creates an interesting situation with Peyton's alma mater playing against Texas. The guys discuss whether Peyton will publicly support Texas, whether he is likely to wear Texas gear and how Peyton handled similar situations when he played against Ole Miss during his Tennessee career. They also discuss why Peyton may intentionally stay out of the spotlight during Tennessee-Texas week. With Arch Manning making his first appearance at Neyland Stadium, the attention surrounding the Manning family is already enormous, and the guys believe Peyton may not want to add any additional distractions for his nephew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols have one final game before the biggest test of the season arrives. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan preview Tennessee's matchup with Kennesaw State, discuss what the Vols need to accomplish in the final tune-up before Texas and look around the SEC at several games that could have major implications for Tennessee's season. Kennesaw State is a massive underdog, and the guys expect Tennessee to win comfortably. But that doesn't mean the game is meaningless. Tennessee needs to stay focused, avoid unnecessary injuries and give its younger players valuable game reps before the Vols turn their attention toward Texas. The guys discuss how Josh Heupel could approach the game, how much playing time the starters should receive and why Tennessee needs to avoid allowing Kennesaw State to turn the game into a frustrating, physical battle. The biggest priority? Get out healthy. Charlie and Zach also discuss the importance of getting younger players meaningful reps, particularly with Tennessee's depth and upcoming SEC schedule in mind. Then the conversation turns toward the rest of the SEC. The guys break down Florida vs. Auburn, a matchup between two teams Tennessee will see later in the season, and discuss what they expect from both teams. They also preview LSU vs. Ole Miss, a game with plenty of history and potential implications for Tennessee's schedule. Lane Kiffin's return to Ole Miss is expected to create a highly emotional atmosphere, and Charlie and Zach discuss why LSU could be at its best in that environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols' defense may be much better than expected in 2026. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's defensive performance against Furman, Xavier Gilliam's dominant three-sack performance, the emergence of the defensive line and what it could mean for the Vols heading into Saturday night's matchup with Georgia Tech. Yes, it was Furman. But there were still plenty of encouraging signs. Xavier Gilliam was the biggest standout, recording three sacks and constantly creating disruption up front. After entering the season with questions surrounding Tennessee's edge-rushing situation, Gilliam's performance provides another potential answer for the Vols' defensive front. Tyree Weathersby also made an immediate impact, while the hosts discuss how much more Tennessee's defense could have in the tank once Arion Carter returns from his suspension. The Vols also received strong performances from transfer defenders Amare Campbell and others, while several young defensive players showed enough to create optimism about Tennessee's depth. But the real test comes against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets struggled to run the football against Colorado, which could create an opportunity for Tennessee's defense to dictate the game. Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza was one of the team's best players in Week 1, meaning Tennessee's secondary could face a much tougher test than it did against Furman. Charlie and Zach discuss whether Georgia Tech will lean more heavily on Mendoza through the air, how Jim Knowles could attack the Yellow Jackets and why Tennessee's defense may be able to control the game if it stops Georgia Tech's rushing attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices