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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

The Tennessee Vols' offense could be one of the most exciting units in college football in 2026 — but there is one major question standing in the way. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's offensive performance in the season opener, the incredible early returns on Faizon Brandon, the emergence of Mike Matthews and DeSean Bishop and the biggest concern facing the Vols heading into their matchup with Georgia Tech. The biggest positive? Faizon Brandon looks like a legitimate difference-maker. The true freshman quarterback showed tremendous poise in his first game, made smart decisions with the football and added an element with his legs that Tennessee hasn't consistently had since Hendon Hooker. Brandon's ability to escape pressure, avoid negative plays and turn broken plays into first downs could significantly raise the ceiling of Tennessee's offense. Charlie and Zach explain why that element of Brandon's game reminds them of what made Hooker so effective during Tennessee's explosive 2022 season. But there is one major problem. The offensive line did not look as good as expected against Furman. Tennessee struggled at times on the right side, rotated several players and still appears to be searching for its best combination at right tackle and right guard. The hosts aren't ready to panic, but they believe Tennessee needs to settle on a consistent lineup before the competition gets significantly tougher. And the Vols have plenty of talent around the quarterback. Mike Matthews had a huge game, DeSean Bishop continues to look like one of Tennessee's most physical players and the running back room appears much deeper than expected entering the season. Tennessee also has a wide receiver room loaded with potential contributors. If the offensive line can become a strength, Charlie and Zach believe Tennessee could have an offense capable of ranking among the best in the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's 2026 season, starting with Saturday's matchup against Furman and looking ahead to what could be a massive year for Josh Heupel and the Vols. How good can Tennessee actually be? The guys go through the schedule and make their predictions for every game, including the biggest matchups against Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and LSU. Charlie has Tennessee finishing the regular season 10-2, while Zach predicts a 9-3 record. Both believe the Vols have a legitimate path to the College Football Playoff, but there are plenty of opportunities for Tennessee to stumble along the way. A huge part of Tennessee's ceiling will depend on true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon. The Vols have plenty of talent around him, including DeSean Bishop, Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley, but Brandon will be asked to navigate one of the toughest schedules in college football. The guys also discuss the importance of Jim Knowles' first season as Tennessee's defensive coordinator. After concerns about how quickly the new system would come together, there is optimism that Knowles can turn the Vols' defense into a legitimate strength by the end of the season. Plus, Charlie and Zach make their bold predictions for the 2026 season. Will Mike Matthews emerge as an NFL Draft first-rounder? Can Kayin Lee become one of Tennessee's breakout defensive stars? Could an offensive player find himself on the Heisman radar? And can Jim Knowles produce a top-20 defense? Before all of that, though, Tennessee has to take care of business against Furman. The Vols are massive favorites entering Saturday's game, and the guys expect Tennessee to win comfortably. Zach predicts a 70-3 type of game, while Charlie lands around 55-6. The Big Orange Podcast puts the entire Tennessee 2026 season on the record. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Tennessee for Tennessee Volunteers football news, analysis, recruiting updates, game reactions and the Big Orange Podcast throughout the 2026 season. Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: http://kalshi.com/r/ATOZ Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols are finally entering the 2026 college football season but how good can Josh Heupel's team actually be? Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down the entire Tennessee football schedule, predict every game, reveal their final records and discuss whether the Vols have what it takes to compete for a College Football Playoff spot. Entering the season, Tennessee has plenty of questions. The biggest one? How quickly can true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon develop against an SEC schedule? The Vols have talent all over the roster, including playmakers like DeSean Bishop, Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley, but the quarterback position will determine just how high this team can climb. Charlie and Zach go game-by-game through Tennessee's 2026 schedule, including major matchups against Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas A&M and LSU. They discuss: 🏈 Whether Tennessee can beat Texas early in the season 🏈 Why Alabama in Neyland Stadium could be a massive opportunity 🏈 The biggest road challenges for the Vols 🏈 Why the LSU matchup could become a revenge game 🏈 Whether Tennessee can finally solve Vanderbilt after last season's loss The guys also make their bold predictions for the season. Zach predicts breakout seasons for Kayin Lee and Mike Matthews, believing both players could enter the first-round NFL Draft conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols officially have a new uniform sponsor — and it created a massive debate among fans. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's First Horizon Bank uniform patch announcement, why the Power T was removed from the collar, whether this was the right decision and what this says about the future of college football. Tennessee's new uniform sponsorship deal is reportedly worth around $120 million over 10 years, giving the Vols a major new revenue stream during a time when college football programs are constantly searching for ways to fund increasingly expensive rosters. But there is a catch. To add the sponsor patch, Tennessee removed the Power T from the collar of the jersey and replaced it with SEC branding. That decision immediately created backlash from fans who believe the Power T is one of the most important symbols in Tennessee football history. Charlie and Zach discuss both sides of the argument. On one hand, Tennessee fans have every reason to want the Power T protected. It represents the history and tradition of the program. On the other hand, college football has entered a new era where programs need massive amounts of revenue to compete for elite players. The guys explain why $12 million per year can make a real difference for Tennessee's roster building and why this type of sponsorship is becoming unavoidable across college athletics. They also discuss why the First Horizon patch itself was handled better than some other examples around college football, why Tennessee's uniforms still maintain their traditional look and how athletic director Danny White has balanced revenue generation with protecting Tennessee's identity. Is losing the Power T on the collar worth $12 million per year? Should Tennessee fans be upset? Or is this simply the reality of modern college football? Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan discuss the biggest Tennessee uniform debate of the offseason on the Big Orange Podcast. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Tennessee for Tennessee Volunteers football news, analysis, recruiting updates and Big Orange Podcast episodes throughout the season. #TennesseeVols #Vols #TennesseeFootball #CollegeFootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lane Kiffin and LSU are at the center of the latest college football controversy after the SEC announced potential penalties for programs that attempt to bring NFL players back to the college level. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down the entire situation on the Big Orange Podcast, including why the SEC finally decided to take action, why Lane Kiffin's argument has created so much controversy and what this means for the future of college football. The biggest question facing the sport: How far are teams willing to go to build their rosters? After recent eligibility changes opened the door for some former college players who entered the NFL Draft process to potentially return, programs began exploring whether NFL players could come back to college football. The SEC responded by creating significant penalties for schools that attempt to make that move, including potential suspensions and financial punishments. Charlie and Zach explain why targeting coaches and schools instead of players is the only realistic way to enforce these rules. Players wanting another opportunity makes sense but allowing programs to continuously bring back NFL-level talent would fundamentally change roster construction across college football. And naturally, Lane Kiffin is right in the middle of the controversy. The guys discuss why Kiffin's argument that “someone else will do it” doesn't hold up, why LSU's situation has become the center of attention and why this controversy says a lot about the current state of college football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols defense is beginning to show some extremely encouraging signs under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles after a much stronger performance in Tennessee's second preseason scrimmage. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down what they're hearing about the Vols' defense on the Big Orange Podcast, why Tennessee finally appears to be developing a defensive identity and the one position that still creates some legitimate concern entering the 2026 college football season. Tennessee's defense reportedly bounced back in a major way during the Vols' second scrimmage. The defense created multiple turnover opportunities against Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre, while Tennessee's defensive front generated pressure and players such as Xavier Gilliam continued to create optimism along the interior. More importantly, Josh Heupel believes the defense is developing a personality under Jim Knowles. That's a potentially significant development for a Tennessee defense that struggled with communication, consistency and identity last season. Charlie and Zach explain why Knowles' ability to build his scheme around the strengths of Tennessee's personnel could put the Vols' defenders in a much better position to succeed. The goal doesn't have to be creating an elite defense immediately. Tennessee simply needs to make a substantial improvement from what it put on the field last season. There are still questions. Edge rusher remains one of the biggest concerns on Tennessee's roster. The Vols don't have much proven SEC production at the position, which could put additional pressure on Tennessee's interior defensive line to generate a consistent pass rush. The guys also discuss Daevin Hobbs' health, Jordan Norman's opportunity, the development of Tennessee's secondary after the loss of Edrees Farooq and why getting linebacker Arion Carter back for the Georgia Tech game is such an important development. Carter's NCAA suspension has officially been reduced to one game, meaning he'll miss Tennessee's season opener against Furman but will be eligible to return when the Vols travel to face Georgia Tech. And, of course, Tennessee finally has its starting quarterback. Josh Heupel officially named five-star true freshman Faizon Brandon the Vols' QB1 after his competition with George MacIntyre. Charlie and Zach briefly discuss why Brandon was the right choice and why the freshman's combination of talent, maturity and upside makes his future in Josh Heupel's offense so exciting. Has Jim Knowles already changed Tennessee's defense? Can the Vols generate enough pressure off the edge? How much improvement does this unit need to make in 2026? And what should Tennessee fans expect when the Vols finally take the field? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols have officially named true freshman Faizon Brandon their starting quarterback for the 2026 college football season. Austin Stanley fills in for Charlie Burris alongside Zach Ragan for an immediate Big Orange Podcast reaction to Josh Heupel selecting Brandon over redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. Brandon entered Tennessee as a five-star prospect and continued building momentum throughout spring practice, summer workouts and fall camp. Although MacIntyre had an additional year inside Heupel’s offense, Brandon’s arm talent, athleticism, playmaking ability and command of the system proved enough to win the job. Austin and Zach explain why Heupel made the more difficult—and potentially more consequential—decision by starting Brandon immediately. Heupel could have given MacIntyre the opening assignment and maintained an easier path to Brandon later. Instead, Tennessee committed to the 18-year-old true freshman as its QB1 entering the season opener against Furman. What are fair expectations for Brandon during his freshman season? Austin examines the production of first-year starting quarterbacks in Heupel’s offense, while Zach projects Brandon to complete approximately 60 percent of his passes, throw for roughly 2,600 to 2,900 yards and finish with fewer than 10 interceptions. They also discuss how DeSean Bishop, Tennessee’s offensive line and an experienced group of pass catchers can help Brandon through the inevitable growing pains of playing quarterback in the SEC. Brandon’s mobility could provide another important dimension. Tennessee has struggled in certain short-yardage and red-zone situations during the Heupel era, and Brandon’s size and athleticism could help turn stalled possessions into touchdowns. The conversation also examines what Brandon’s victory means for George MacIntyre. Tennessee still needs to develop MacIntyre as a legitimate second option, especially during early games against Furman and Kennesaw State. MacIntyre has only nine collegiate pass attempts, and the Vols cannot afford for his first meaningful experience to arrive unexpectedly against Georgia Tech, Texas or another SEC opponent. How long is Brandon’s leash now that he has already defeated MacIntyre for the job? Could the quarterback competition reopen if Brandon struggles? And what could this decision eventually mean for MacIntyre in the transfer portal? Austin and Zach break down every layer of Josh Heupel’s biggest decision entering the 2026 Tennessee football season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols will begin the 2026 college football season ranked No. 20 in the preseason AP Top 25, but ESPN's Heather Dinich isn't convinced Tennessee should be ranked at all. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan react to Dinich's criticism of Tennessee on the Big Orange Podcast and debate whether the national skepticism surrounding Josh Heupel's team is actually justified. Tennessee enters the season with legitimate questions. Josh Heupel still has a major quarterback decision to make between Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre, while the Vols also have uncertainty along the defensive line as Jim Knowles prepares for his first season running Tennessee's defense. But are those questions really enough to leave Tennessee completely outside the Top 25? That's where Charlie and Zach disagree with the ESPN criticism. The Vols aren't being given the benefit of the doubt as an elite College Football Playoff contender at No. 20. Instead, they're sitting directly in the range where a talented but uncertain Tennessee roster arguably belongs entering the season. Zach explains why Tennessee may also have one of the wider ranges of outcomes among teams in the preseason rankings. If the Vols get strong quarterback play from Brandon or MacIntyre and Tennessee's defensive front performs well, this could potentially become a Top 10-caliber team. If those questions aren't answered? Tennessee could look much more like a borderline Top 25 team. Charlie and Zach also examine the rest of the 2026 preseason AP Top 25 and question why Tennessee is being singled out when programs throughout the rankings have significant uncertainties of their own. Are Texas A&M and Ole Miss deserving of their lofty preseason rankings? What should we expect from Penn State? How much confidence should voters have in programs undergoing coaching transitions? And how much should any preseason poll actually mean in the transfer portal era? The guys also discuss why the first few weeks of the college football season could dramatically reshape these rankings and which highly ranked teams they believe could be vulnerable. Is Tennessee properly ranked at No. 20? Is ESPN overlooking the Vols' upside? Or are the quarterback and defensive-line questions significant enough to keep Tennessee outside the Top 25? Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break it all down on the A to Z Sports Big Orange Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tennessee Vols quarterback battle between Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre may finally be starting to take shape after Tennessee's first major preseason scrimmage. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down everything coming out of the Vols' scrimmage on the Big Orange Podcast, including the growing buzz around true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, George MacIntyre's performance, Tennessee's surprisingly encouraging offense and some legitimate concerns surrounding Jim Knowles' defense. The biggest takeaway may be what happened at quarterback. According to reports coming out of the scrimmage, Brandon made several impressive plays and continued building chemistry with Tennessee wide receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley. MacIntyre didn't necessarily have a bad day, either — and that's exactly why the situation is so encouraging for Josh Heupel and Tennessee. Instead of one quarterback simply making fewer mistakes, Brandon may be starting to actively win the job. Charlie and Zach discuss why another strong performance in Tennessee's second scrimmage could potentially put Brandon in position to emerge as QB1 before the Vols turn their full attention toward the 2026 season. The offense provided plenty of other encouraging developments as well. Tennessee's running back room could become an important part of helping a young quarterback, with DeSean Bishop leading a group that also includes Javin Gordon and D'Mon Marable. The Vols also appear to have legitimate weapons at wide receiver with Matthews, Staley and several other options competing for roles. But what does an impressive offensive scrimmage mean for Tennessee's defense? That's where the conversation gets more complicated. Charlie and Zach discuss their concerns about Tennessee's defensive line and pass rush as Jim Knowles installs his defense. They also examine how much confidence Vols fans should have in the unit entering the season and whether the defensive front can hold up against the better offensive lines Tennessee will face. The secondary is dealing with adversity as well after the injury to Edrees Farooq. The Big Orange Podcast discusses what his absence means for Tennessee's safety depth, the opportunity for DeJuan Lane and Dylan Lewis, and the late addition of Tennessee Tech defensive back Monty Hunt. Is Faizon Brandon beginning to take control of Tennessee's quarterback competition? How concerned should Vols fans actually be about the defense? And what should we be watching when Tennessee holds its second scrimmage? Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break it all down on the A to Z Sports Big Orange Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices