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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.
Talkin' Titans is a weekly podcast covering the Tennessee Titans and hosted by The Tennessean's Gentry Estes and Ben Arthur.
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Catfish Corner: A Predators Podcast
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Catfish Corner: A Predators Podcast
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Nashville Predators beat reporter Paul Skrbina and sports director Tommy Deas discuss the latest happenings with the local professional hockey franchise. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.
Country Mile, the USA TODAY NETWORK’s new podcast series, explores the evolution of one of America’s truest art forms through the stories told by the stars who lived them. The format is simple: Two artists, two stools and an unscripted evening of memories taped before a live audience. Guests include Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Chris Young, Ashley McBryde, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Tenille Townes, Marty Stuart and more.
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Grand Divisions: A Politics Podcast
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Grand Divisions: A Politics Podcast
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Tennessean politics reporter Joel Ebert and state politics reporter Natalie Allison host this Tennessee politics and policy podcast. Hear from candidates, constituents and other reporters as they dive in and analyze issues voters need to know.
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Breaking Down the 'Dores: Vandy podcast
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Breaking Down the 'Dores: Vandy podcast
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
The Tennessean's Adam Sparks, Vanderbilt Commodores beat reporter, and former Vanderbilt beat writer, Mike Organ, give you the latest news on all things Vandy sports. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee
Three trials. Two husbands. One woman. Raynella Dossett Leath is a 70-year-old grandmother living quietly on a 15-acre farm in the Karns community of Knox County, Tennessee. Her life has been far from quiet. She has survived death – two husbands and a son – and prison. She might be a two-time "black widow" who had a third victim in her crosshairs. Despite being convicted once, she is a free woman. In "Suspicion," we will take you through the deaths of Leath's two husbands, her trials and how ...
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The Volunteer State
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Why Jeremy Pruitt is singing the praises of Tennessee football under Josh Heupel
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Tennessee football is well-positioned for the future under coach Josh Heupel – at least according to the coach Heupel replaced. Jeremy Pruitt believes in Heupel's Vols, so much so that he labeled Tennessee and Kentucky as his two breakout teams in the SEC for the 2022 season during a recent appearance on the "Crain & Company" podcast. On this editi…
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The Volunteer State
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Why Tennessee football will (or won't) finish as a top-20 team in 2022 season
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What's the next stop in Tennessee's ascent under Josh Heupel? A top-20 season, according to one prognostication. Athlon, in its recent projections, projects the Vols to finish the 2022 season ranked No. 18 nationally. On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's John Adams debate whether…
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The Volunteer State
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Why Tennessee football canceled BYU in favor of Virginia for 2023 schedule
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Gone is Tennessee football's scheduled road game against BYU in 2023. In its place is a game against Virginia in Nashville. Why? Athletics director Danny White offered two reasons: The switch is better for Tennessee financially, and it offers an opportunity to play a game in Nashville. Here's a reason left unsaid: It helps UT avoid a potential loss…
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The Volunteer State
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Jay Graham left college football coaching over mental health concerns. Will he return?
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Jay Graham has coached at 10 colleges over the past 16 years, most notably Tennessee (2005, 2012, 2020), South Carolina (2009-11), Florida State (2013-17), Texas A&M (2018-19) and Alabama (2021). Now he's building the Concord Christian School football program — first at middle school and eventually high school. On this edition of “The Volunteer Sta…
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The Volunteer State
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Tony Vitello is the king of UT. Surely he's here for the long haul ... right?
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Throughout the Tennessee baseball team’s success last season, many Vols fans carried a back-of-the mind concern. Would coach Tony Vitello parlay the Vols’ success into another marquee job? On this edition of “The Volunteer State,” Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel’s Mike Wilson dissect Tennessee baseball’s success, its …
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The Volunteer State
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What the NFL Draft tells us about Josh Heupel and Tennessee football
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The Vols are projected to have to have four players selected in the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN, NFL Network). Defensive lineman Matthew Butler, cornerback Alontae Taylor, wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., and offensive lineman Cade Mays are expected to be mid- to late-round picks. Tennessee likely won't have any players sel…
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The Volunteer State
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Debating Tennessee football's five most important games on the Vols' 2022 schedule
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Tennessee's schedule offers an opportunity for a big season that could produce a trip to a Florida bowl – heck, maybe even the Sugar Bowl – if everything falls in the Vols' direction. Beating rivals Alabama or Georgia will take a herculean effort, but the Vols might enjoy a leg up on Florida and LSU, which are breaking in new coaches. On this editi…
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The Volunteer State
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What Joe Milton's spring performance tells us about his role for Tennessee football
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Joe Milton opened last season as UT's starter but struggled in the role. He lost the job by Week 3. However, he showed progress this spring, including a robust performance in the scrimmage. On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's Adam Sparks discuss what Milton's spring showing mean…
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The Volunteer State
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Why Tennessee football would benefit from Ole Miss becoming a more prominent rival
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Tennessee football doesn't lack for rivals, but most of its top rivalries lack sizzle because of competitive imbalance. If there's room for another rival, how about Ole Miss? As long as Lane Kiffin is in Oxford, the Rebels will be a marquee opponent for UT. Just one problem: In the SEC's current scheduling format, the teams don't play often enough,…
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The Volunteer State
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Why Tennessee football should be cautiously optimistic after Nico Iamaleava commitment
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Tennessee is coming off a winning season, has a competent coach and is positioned to sign a five-star quarterback for the first time since 2002 after Monday's commitment from Nico Iamaleava. The Vols still must prove they're capable of climbing the SEC East's ladder, but UT is displaying undeniable signs of progress. On this edition of "The Volunte…
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The Volunteer State
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How to keep teams from faking injuries vs. Tennessee football
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Tennessee's up-tempo offense poses problems for opposing defenses, so much so that some opponents attracted suspicion of faking injuries last season. The NCAA football rules committee could not agree on proposed rule changes to stop the tactic, so, presumably, it will continue this season. On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer o…
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The Volunteer State
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FACT or FICTION? Tennessee football will sign a top-10 recruiting class
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Tennessee last signed a national top-10 recruiting class in 2015. Coach Josh Heupel is coming off a solid debut season, and now the key to climbing the SEC ladder will be elevating the Vols’ recruiting. Jeremy Pruitt flirted with top-10 classes in 2019 and again in 2020, but it was Butch Jones who last led the Vols into the top 10 of the 247Sports …
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The Volunteer State
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Would Tennessee football be better off with divisions or pods in a 16-team SEC?
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We don't know what the SEC alignment will look like beginning with the 2025 season. We just know change is coming once Oklahoma and Texas join the conference. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said earlier this year that debate is ongoing about how the conference will be aligned after those two schools join from the Big 12. One option would be to align …
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Catfish Corner: A Predators Podcast
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Are penalties really that bad for Nashville Predators?
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Hearing whistles while they work is nothing new to the Nashville Predators. Comes with the territory of being the most penalized team in the league. But is that a bad thing? Tennessean Predators beat writer Paul Skrbina and columnist Gentry Estes discuss that and more on the latest edition of Catfish Corner.…
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The Volunteer State
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Tennessee football report card: How to grade Vols' offseason so far?
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The busiest portion of the college football offseason is complete. The winter brought the coaching carousel, an active transfer market and the final recruiting swing. Now that this stage of the offseason is complete, let's bust out the red pens to do some grading of how Tennessee fared. On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer of t…
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The Volunteer State
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Did ESPN snub the Vols in its early preseason Top 25?
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Despite a seven-win season in Josh Heupel's debut, a win total that surpassed most outsider expectations, Tennessee is not ranked in ESPN's early Top 25 for the 2022 season. Seven SEC teams are ranked by ESPN: No. 1 Alabama, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Texas A&M, No. 20 Arkansas, No. 21 Kentucky, No. 23 Ole Miss and No. 25 South Carolina. On this edition …
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Catfish Corner: A Predators Podcast
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Who is Nashville Predators MVP? Biggest surprise? Disappointment?
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Roman Josi and Juuse Saros are All-Stars. Filip Forsberg is playing like one. That means the All-Star break is here. The Nashville Predators are in second place. The team's identity seems to be solid. So why not hand out some a-little-past-midseason awards. Predators beat writer Paul Skrbina and Tennessean columnist Gentry Estes give you their pics…
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The Volunteer State
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Here are Tennessee football's early enrollees who are top candidates to be quick contributors
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National signing day is Wednesday, but the February signing period is almost an afterthought nowadays. Division I programs sign most of their recruits during the December signing period, and then the offseason focus gives way to acquiring transfers. With the Vols not expected to make much noise Wednesday, let's shift the focus to the freshmen who a…
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Catfish Corner: A Predators Podcast
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Hey, now, Roman Josi's not an All-Star. Say what?
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He's having the best season of his career, better than his Norris Tropy-winning season of a not-so-distant past. Roman Josi also is breaking Nashville Predators franchise records left and right. So what gives? Why won't he be in Vegas with Juuse Saros for All-Star weekend? Predators beat reporter Paul Skrbina and Tennessean columnist Gentry Estes d…
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Talkin' Titans
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What does future hold for Ryan Tannehill, Todd Downing in Tennessee?
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Tennessee Titans beat writer Ben Arthur and sports columnist Gentry Estes discussed the team's playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.By USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
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The Volunteer State
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Why Josh Heupel's early measuring stick with Tennessee football remains Shane Beamer
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KNOXVILLE – In some respects, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer is a measuring stick for Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. But Heupel enjoys an edge over Beamer thanks to Tennessee's 45-20 triumph over the Gamecocks in October. Now, the challenge is maintaining that upper hand after South Carolina added quarterback Spencer Rattler, a transfer from Oklah…
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Talkin' Titans
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Will Derrick Henry be rusty for Tennessee's playoff run?
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Tennessee Titans beat writer Ben Arthur and sports columnist Gentry Estes discuss Derrick Henry and the divisional-round game against the Bengals.By USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
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Catfish Corner: A Predators Podcast
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So far, so good for the Nashville Predators this season, but why?
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The Nashville Predators have won five in a row and in first place in the Central Division. But their latest victory, Tuesday against the Colorado, may be the proof people have been waiting for that this team is legit. In the latest edition of the Catfish Corner podcast, Tennessean Predators beat writer Paul Skrbina and columnist Gentry Estes discus…
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Talkin' Titans
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Who's been Tennessee's best player heading into the playoffs?
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Tennessee Titans beat reporter Ben Arthur and sports columnist Gentry Estes handed out awards for the Titans in the latest episode of their podcast.By USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
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Talkin' Titans
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Does Derrick Henry's return lift Tennessee into Super Bowl contention?
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By USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
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The Volunteer State
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Now that Josh Heupel raised the bar for Tennessee football, can his Vols meet the demands of 2022?
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Whether 7-6 seasons are celebrated or criticized largely depends on the situation in which the program found itself entering the season. Tennessee found itself in a mess last January. The Vols fired Jeremy Pruitt for cause amid an NCAA investigation into allegations of recruiting malfeasance. Players fled for the transfer portal. New coach Josh Heu…
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Talkin' Titans
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Will Tannehill lead Tennessee to AFC South title against former team, Dolphins?
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Ryan Tannehill not only has an opportunity to secure an AFC South crown with his Tennessee Titans (10-5) this week, but also has the chance to do so at the expense of his former team, the Miami Dolphins (8-7), who are fighting for a Wild Card spot. Will Tannehill lead the Titans to victory in Sunday's game (noon CT, CBS)? On the latest episode of T…
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Talkin' Titans
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Can A.J. Brown save Tennessee's passing game?
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Tennessee Titans beat writer Ben Arthur and sports columnist Gentry Estes discussed the latest news around the Titans in their latest podcast episode.By USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
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Talkin' Titans
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OLB Bud Dupree to make return vs. former team, Pittsburgh Steelers?
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Beat writer Ben Arthur and sports columnist Gentry Estes discussed the latest news around the Tennessee Titans on their weekly podcast.By USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
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The Volunteer State
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Tennessee football can go from Music City Bowl to Sugar Bowl next season ... yes, really
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Could Tennessee catapult from the Music City Bowl in 2021 to the Sugar Bowl next season? It's within the realm of reasonableness after quarterback Hendon Hooker announced Sunday that he'll return to UT for a sixth season of college eligibility in 2022. If you don't believe us, just look at Ole Miss' success this season. The Rebels laid groundwork i…
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Catfish Corner: A Predators Podcast
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Is it close to time for Filip Forsberg to go?
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Filip Forsberg doesn't have his back to the future. The Nashville Predators forward isn't interested in predicting what's in front of him, either, when it comes to his next contract. Going into Thursday, Forsberg had seven goals -- including a four-goal game and an overtime winner -- in seven games since returning from an injury that caused him to …
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Talkin' Titans
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What does Zach Cunningham addition mean for Tennessee's playoff hopes?
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Tennessee Titans beat writer Ben Arthur and sports columnist Gentry Estes discussed the addition of Zach Cunningham and the imminent return of Julio Jones in a new podcast episode.By USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
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The Volunteer State
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Is Music City Bowl a lackluster reward for Tennessee football or a prime opportunity?
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Tennessee (7-5) will play Purdue (8-4) in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 (3 p.m. ET, ESPN). For Vols fans hoping to make a trip south for some winter sunshine and beach time, sorry. For those looking to travel to a nearby destination to watch UT play in the postseason, you're in luck. So, what's better – a Florida bowl, which historically carries m…
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The Volunteer State
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Tennessee football bowl projections: Here's who Vols should (and shouldn't) want to play
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A Big Ten or an ACC opponent is likely in Tennessee's future. The Vols (7-5) will learn their bowl destination on Sunday. Logical candidates include the Music City Bowl, Gator Bowl, Outback Bowl and Duke's Mayo Bowl. The Music City or Outback would pit Tennessee against a Big Ten opponent, while the Gator or Duke's Mayo would slate the Vols against…
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Talkin' Titans
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Can Mike Vrabel beat Bill Belichick without Derrick Henry?
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Mike Vrabel is 2-0 against Bill Belichick, his former coach. But without star running back Derrick Henry and a banged-up offense, can Vrabel beat him for a third straight time when the Tennessee Titans (8-3) travel to New England to face the Patriots (7-4) at Gillette Stadium Sunday (noon CT, CBS)? Beat writer Ben Arthur and sports columnist Gentry…
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The Volunteer State
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Is Josh Heupel a better choice for SEC coach of the year than Kirby Smart or Lane Kiffin?
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Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on Monday suggested that South Carolina's first-year coach Shane Beamer should be considered for SEC coach of the year. If an ACC coach can nominate someone for an SEC award, then we can, too. And there's no shortage of options this year, including Josh Heupel, Tennessee's first-year coach who inherited a depleted roster …
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Catfish Corner: A Predators Podcast
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MVP? Biggest surprise? Is this team overachieving?
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Who has been the Nashville Predators' MVP so far nearly a quarter of the way through the season? Who has been the biggest surprise? Biggest disappointment? What's up with Cracker Barrel on Thanksgiving? Tennessean Predators beat reporter Paul Skrbina and columnist Gentry Estes discuss all that and more after Nashville's victory against the Anaheim …
The Nashville Predators were two points out of first place in the Central Division going into Thursday, when they were supposed to play the Ottawa Senators. That game was postponed because 10 Senators players were in the league's COVID-19 protocol, giving Nashville a couple of extra days in Montreal, where they will face the Canadiens on Saturday n…
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Talkin' Titans
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Which players deserve the most credit in Tennessee's hot streak?
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In the latest episode of Talkin' Titans, beat writer Ben Arthur and sports columnist Gentry Estes hand out awards for the team 10 weeks into the year.By USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
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The Volunteer State
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Tennessee football bowl projections: Music City, Duke's Mayo or Liberty for Vols?
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Bowl projections abound, and we're not going to miss out on the projection fun. Tennessee (5-5, 3-4 SEC) is positioned to play in a bowl for just the second time in a five-year stretch. The Vols will host South Alabama (5-5) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU) before concluding the regular season against Vanderbilt (2-8). They need to win at least on…
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Talkin' Titans
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How does Tennessee crack Saints' defense without Derrick Henry?
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Tennessee Titans beat writer Ben Arthur is joined by NOLA.com Saints reporter Amie Just on the latest episode of Talkin' Titans.By USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
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The Volunteer State
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Is Tennessee football or Florida a bigger long-term threat to Georgia?
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Tennessee fans celebrated two triumphs Saturday: the Vols' 45-42 victory over No. 17 Kentucky, and South Carolina's 40-17 thrashing of Florida. Florida (4-5, 2-5 SEC) has jumped the rails since beating Tennessee 38-14 on Sept. 25, while the Vols (5-4, 3-3) are on the upswing. Tennessee will face its greatest test to date against No. 1 Georgia (3:30…
Pekka Rinne is coming back to Nashville soon -- not to play for the Predators but to live in his "second home" with his family and be honored as the first person in franchise history to have his jersey number retired. Tennessean Predators beat writer Paul Skrbina and columnist Gentry Estes both spoke to Rinne this week and share their thoughts abou…
