By: Matthew Woods Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20231031 Six: the end goal of every offensive drive, six may be the most important number in football. For older Tennessee Vol fans, the most legendary man associated with that number is not a player, but it is the great John Ward whose famous “Give Him Six” calls from decades ago can still send chills down your spine. For younger Vol fans, that number is starting to take on a new legacy that was created on the field, not from the announcer’s booth. Today, if you asked any Tennessee fan under the age of 30 who his favorite Tennessee running back to watch was, you’d likely get the answer #6 Alvin Kamara. In just two seasons on Rocky Top (‘15-’16), Kamara became a Volunteer legend despite the fact that he was primarily used as the backup running back. His legacy is not one that can be quantified with numbers thanks to his limited touches, but make no mistake about it, nobody who watched him will ever forget just how special Kamara was. When he touched the ball, he was a threat to get six every single time, and often he did. Undersized at 5’11”, Kamara used a rare combination of speed, quickness, and strength to regularly break tackles with ease, electrifying Neyland Stadium time after time and leaving the Volunteer faithful wondering why he didn’t get more opportunities. Seven years since Kamara took his talents to the NFL and became a bonafide superstar for the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee has another undersized, shifty “#6” in sophomore sensation Dylan Sampson, whose career is following a very similar path. Like Kamara, the 19 year old from Baton Rouge, Louisiana shows his superstar potential nearly every time he touches the ball. Sampson possesses a skill set that is very similar to Kamara’s. He’s fast, agile, and stronger than his 5’11” 190 pound frame would suggest. Most importantly, though, he never gives up on a play. Defenders can have him surrounded, and Sampson will often still find a way to go around or through them on his way to the end zone. Combine this skill-set with the same orange number six uniform that Kamara donned, and it’s almost like Deja vu to watch Sampson play. A dive into the stats shows that when Sampson gets on the field his production keeps pace with Kamara’s. In Kamara’s Tennessee career, he touched the ball a total of 284 times (combined rushes and receptions). With those 284 touches, Kamara scored 23 touchdowns and averaged 7.0 yards per attempt. Thus far in Sampson’s career, he has touched the ball 124 times, scoring on 14 of those attempts while averaging 6.7 yards per touch. That means Sampson amazingly scores one touchdown every nine times he gets the ball on average, while Kamara averaged one touchdown every 12 times he touched it. Some players have a nose for the endzone, and Dylan Sampson is one of them. Sampson is simply a difference maker, and I believe he is Tennessee’s X-factor. Like Kamara, he is a rare type of player that can get something out of nothing, and he displayed that ability down the stretch on Saturday night in Lexington to take over the game and save Tennessee’s season. For the second week in a row, Tennessee seemed to be falling apart in the second half. Injuries and fatigue were clearly taking their toll, and the Vols were losing the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. Clinging to a 26-24 lead with a little under 11 minutes to go, Tennessee was in danger of falling to 0-3 in rivalry games this season, and Josh Heupel’s third season on Rocky Top was on the brink of being a major disappointment. Enter: Dylan Sampson. What Sampson did next was nothing short of carrying his team down the field. On the ensuing drive, Sampson racked up 52 combined yards, moved the chains three times including a clutch 17 yard catch on 3rd and long from the 29 yard line, and capped the drive off with a 12 yard touchdown run to put Tennessee up by two scores. After Kentucky kicked a field goal to pull within six, Sampson once again took over on the final drive of the game with 40 combined yards and two big first downs that helped Tennessee put the game away. Sampson looked unstoppable in the fourth quarter. On multiple occasions, he broke away from defenders using moves that looked eerily similar to the ones we saw from Kamara all those years ago. He was essentially Tennessee’s entire offense down the stretch and made it clear that he has the talent and mentality to take over a game. It appears that the only thing holding Sampson back is the same thing that held Kamara back; he doesn’t get to play enough. For the majority of Kamara’s Tennessee career, he was the backup running back to Jalen Hurd, a decision by Butch Jones that looked utterly ridiculous once Kamara went to the NFL and immediately became one of its best offensive players. Currently, Sampson is considered the third head of the “three headed monster” that is Tennessee’s running back room. Ahead of him are Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small, two great, physical backs in their own right. It is undoubtedly a luxury to have three backs of such a great caliber, and Wright and Small have both helped Tennessee win some big games. However, there have been multiple occasions in the last two seasons when Sampson has been sitting on the sidelines for the majority, or entirety, of some of Tennessee’s most important games. One such example was against the Florida Gators earlier this season. Sampson publicly expressed frustration on social media after he didn’t see the field once against Florida, a game in which Tennessee scored a shockingly low 16 points. It’s not unreasonable to think that things could have been different if Sampson had been given an opportunity in Gainesville. Simply put, when Sampson gets touches, Tennessee wins. When he doesn’t, things get much more difficult for the Vols. Since Sampson joined the team prior to last season, Tennessee has a 17-4 record. What do all four of those losses have in common, you ask? A few things come to mind (conference road game, untimely penalties, etc.), but there’s something else to note regarding the box scores of those games. In each of those four losses, Dylan Sampson either didn’t play (Georgia and Florida) or barely touched the ball (South Carolina and Alabama). The magic number fittingly appears to be six. Since the start of the 2022 season, there have been 10 games where Sampson was given the ball upwards of six times and 11 games; where he had six or fewer touches. The difference in Tennessee’s offensive production in these two scenarios is incredible. In the 10 games where Sampson received 7+ touches, Tennessee averaged 49.7 points per game and had a perfect 10-0 record (5-0 in SEC games). In the 11 games where Sampson touched the ball six or fewer times, Tennessee averaged 32.3 points per game and had a 7-4 record (4-4 in SEC play). Certainly, it’s not that simple as there are more factors at play than just Sampson’s touches, but that large of a discrepancy in terms of offensive production and win-loss record is too significant to ignore. Nearly every time Sampson gets an opportunity, he makes the most of it, and he helps the Vols to victory. I’m not even arguing that Sampson should be the starting running back for the Vols; Jaylen Wright has earned that spot and might be the most dependable all-around back on the team. However, to keep a talent such as Sampson’s on the sideline for an entire game is blasphemous. Moving forward this season, I see no reason why Sampson should get any less than 10 touches a game. Tennessee is going to need his play making desperately against Mizzou and Georgia as one play very well could be the difference between winning and losing in each of these games for the Vols. Odds are, Sampson will provide at least one of those game changing plays if you give him 10 touches, and if you give him more than that he might just carry you to victory as he did against Kentucky. Ultimately, Dylan Sampson’s story at Tennessee is still largely unwritten. As of now, he seems poised to leave a legacy quite similar to the one that Alvin Kamara left: an incredible talent who could have done so much more if given the opportunity. As Tennessee fans, we have already seen one “#6” wearing generational talent held back on the Volunteer sidelines, and that’s one too many. Here’s hoping we are not once again left wondering “What if?” when all is said and done.

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20231031 The Tennessee Volunteers have emerged as a darling in the world of basketball analytics. Analytics, driven by a treasure trove of statistical information, have always played a role in the sport. However, their influence on in-game decisions and team strategies has never been more prominent than it is today. In a two-on-one fast break scenario, the traditional choice was often a layup. However, with the rise of analytics, teams are now more inclined to opt for the open three-point shot, a testament to how analytics are reshaping the game. Defenses have adapted, conceding the two-point attempt to defend against the potentially more valuable three-pointer, reflecting just how much analytics now guide on-court decisions. For Tennessee, the data reveals a team that is loaded with talent and has the tools to excel in the areas the data says you need to if you wish to be successful. Here’s exactly what the metrics say: Haslametrics: Haslametrics was founded by Erik Haslam a full-time electrical engineer who reserved the name “Haslametrics” in 2004. What makes his method different is that he has sworn off the popular methods like: effective field goal percentage, turnover percentage, offensive rebounding percentage, and free throw rate. Instead, he has narrowed it down to what he calls the “bare necessities” like how often teams shoot, how close to the basket those shots are, and how teams shoot from different spots on the floor. This season, Haslametrics projects the Volunteers as the third best team in the nation, with the tenth best offensive efficiency and the second best defensive efficiency. Its near-proximity percentage which entails layups, tip-ins, and dunks sits at sixth in the nation at 65.29% while the defensive field goal percentage sits third in the nation at 38.55%. Haslametrics takes each game and gives it a “should” section,which projects the outcome of each game. Currently, they predict Tennessee will go 27-2 in the regular season with its lone losses coming at Arkansas and at Alabama. Kenpom: Kenpom’s archives goes all the way back to the 2002 season and is ran and founded by Ken Pomeroy. Kenpom is probably the most popular of the analytic sites due in partt to its longstanding history in the basketball community. This season, Kenpom projects Tennessee as the eighth best team in the nation, and is projected to have the 33rd best adjusted offensive efficiency which is tracked by points scored per 100 possessions. On the flip side, its defensive efficiency is projected to be the second best in the nation behind Kansas. EvanMiya: Evan Miyakawa has a doctorate in statistics and graduated from Baylor with a Ph.D. in 2022. Miya projects Tennessee as the second best team in the nation with an Offensive Bayesian Performance Rating (BPR) which qunatifies how effective a team is at 9.6 which is good for tenth in the nation. Their defensive BPR of 12.8 is good for first in the nation and is a whole 2.7 points better than the second best in Houston. Conclusion: So, there you have it. The analytical sites clearly love the Volunteers, projecting them as one of the top teams in the nation. They will still have to execute on the court, but Tennessee is set up to be a very fun team to watch not just for its fans, but for basketball fans in general.

By: The All Vol Call in Show Staff 20231027 Many people thought that both Tennessee and Kentucky would look completely different than what they both currently do. Many thought that Tennessee would be an offensive force of nature, and others thought that Kentucky would be one of the most well-balanced teams in the SEC this season. If there's one thing for certain this season, it's that nothing is certain. Everyone looks beatable. Everyone has looked good at some point and sloppy at another. The only real truth is that no one has any idea how this game will go, but it doesn't change the fact that the game's significance has increased exponentially since the season has started. This is a huge game for both teams. John Dunn Founder, Managing Director, Producer, Host Before the season started, I was one of a very few select members of the media that had Kentucky picked to win 9-10 games. While that isn't out of the realm of possibility, the Wildcats haven't lived up to how good I personally thought they'd be, and it all comes back to Devin Leary. I honestly thought Leary, with the re-addition of OC Liam Coen, would be a recipe for success for Kentucky. However, I have been proven wrong, and it's been seen that RB Ray Davis is actually the team's best option on offense. Leary has yet to see a pass rush like Tennessee's. James Pearce, Tyler Baron, and Aaron Beasley have been playing like men possessed, against every team they've faced this season. Although the Kentucky offensive line is solid, I don't expect them to be even remotely close to stopping Tennessee's defensive machine. The Tennessee defense will dominate this game - heavily - and the offense will have it's best game of the season. Prediction: Tennessee - 48 | Kentucky - 21 Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Content Manager, Co-Host I anticipate a low-scoring game where both offenses may struggle, especially if Tennessee continues with its somewhat conservative playbook. It's evident that the innovative play calling we witnessed from Tennessee last year hasn't been on display so far. I'm inclined to lean Tennessee in what I expect will be a closely contested game. Prediction: Tennessee - 24 | Kentucky - 20 Trevor Shelby Senior Staff Writer Frankly put, this Tennessee team left Tuscaloosa with money on the table. The opportunity to achieve multiple goals slipped from their fingers as Alabama scored 27 unanswered in the second half. With another road trip looming ahead, the key to victory is simple: play a complete game. We’ve yet to see these Vols execute in all three phases of the game (offense, defense, special teams), and it’s cost them dearly in conference play. Now that improvements have been made on offense, it’s time to get in gear before the stretch run. P.S. - I have a bet with my coworker/former teacher this week; loser wears the other team’s colors. I don’t plan on wearing Wildcat Blue any time soon. Kroger Field will be renamed Neyland North on Sunday morning. Prediction: Tennessee - 38 | Kentucky - 14 Jake Hubbard Senior Staff Writer Tennessee looked great in the first half against Alabama. That is the Tennessee that I expected to see much of this season. However, the second half proved that the elite Tennessee of the first half was only a flash in the pan, and not the identity of the team. Tennessee is down Hadden. This is worrisome against a capable passer in Leary. However, I think Tennessee shows some gumption on Saturday and gets it done. Look for the running game to explode and the defensive front to bring the pressure. Give me Tennessee, big. Prediction: Tennessee - 42 | Kentucky - 20 Zac Strickland Junior Staff Writer In a clash of styles, the Vols have to establish early and often that this game will be played on their terms. They’ve done that well the past two seasons, scoring 45 and 44 points in wins over the Wildcats. However, as we all know, this version of Tennessee has a bit of a different makeup and hasn’t been as potent offensively. They also need to find a cure for their road woes, as this season has unfortunately been defined largely by two awful halves of football played against rivals on the road. I’m not highly confident, but I think they find a way in this game, mainly because it’s against Kentucky. If they don’t, some of the baseless chatter surrounding— let’s say, a certain backup— may finally turn into a legitimate discussion. Prediction: Tennessee - 30 | Kentucky - 24 Joe Davis Junior Staff Writer Kentucky welcomes the Vols to "Kroger Publix Showbiz Pizza Field at Winn Dixie Stadium" on Saturday. The Vols come in with the same record as the Wildcats. But the Vols have been heavily tested this season, and are rebounding from playing against Alabama and the SEC offices last Saturday. Kentucky has given up 89 points in losses the last two weeks and seem to be reeling. Tennessee plays ball control and clamps down on the Kentucky run game. Prediction: Tennessee - 24 | Kentucky - 17

By: Aaron Gibson Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20231026 Alabama's defense has only allowed a total of three points in the second half of their last three games. I must give them credit for their strong performance. However, it's clear that they have benefited from a more than generous officiating crew. This season, Alabama has averaged seven penalties per game. In their games against Texas A&M and Arkansas, they had 14 penalties for 99 yards and five penalties for 45 yards, respectively. So, are we expected to believe that against Tennessee, Alabama magically had only one penalty for five yards throughout the entire game? It's extremely difficult for me to accept that. To be fair, Tennessee's struggles in the second half, conservative play-calling, and a decision to go for a fourth and short at midfield in the third quarter didn't help their cause. Nevertheless, it was evident to everyone that the officials favored Alabama. Regarding the current trends, Alabama ranks 126th out of 133 Division 1 teams in terms of the number of sacks they have given up, while Tennessee ranks third in the NCAA in how frequently they have sacked opposing quarterbacks this year. So, are we supposed to believe that Alabama didn't hold on 1 single play against statistically the third best defensive line in all of college football? I find it hard to believe. What actions will be taken to address this situation that was witnessed by millions on live television? It is doubtful that anything will be done, especially if the commissioner is affiliated with one of the schools in the league. It seems that as long as you have a commissioner from one of the schools in your league, nothing will be done, especially if the calls benefited his school. Interestingly enough, out of the Power 5 conferences, only the SEC has a commissioner who graduated from one of the schools in their conference. I'm not one for conspiracy theories or connecting dots that aren't there, but the optics certainly look bad. Unless something is done about the terrible officiating, they will continue to reign supreme in consequential games. According to SECsports.com, "All SEC officials are held accountable for their overall body of work and the work of their crew, which is reviewed on a weekly and annual basis. Every call by each official during every game is analyzed by a team of experienced position evaluators, both in-game and through post-game video evaluations." If every call by each official during every game is analyzed by a team of experienced position evaluators, why are there never any repercussions for blatantly incorrect calls? The same officiating crew, consisting of head official Ken Williamson, also officiated the controversial Tennessee versus Ole Miss game in 2021. During that game, they blew a whistle and declared a play dead when Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral fumbled the football after an unexpected hit. The fumble was subsequently picked up by Tyler Barron, who ran into the end zone. Tennessee ended up losing the game 31-26. The last time a crew was suspended or publicly reprimanded by the SEC was in 2009 when Marc Curles' crew called a personal foul on Arkansas defensive lineman Malcolm Sheppard in the fourth quarter. As a result, the crew was publicly reprimanded and suspended from their December 31st assignment. They had to wait until November 14th for their next assignment. Regarding the repercussions for the current crew, it is uncertain. Unfortunately, there may be no repercussions at all. The SEC should issue a statement, face tough questions, or take some action to offer accountability for something as blatantly obvious as Saturday's game. If I were Danny White, I would have a long phone call with Mr. Sankey to question him and ensure that something as blatant as Saturday never happens again. Whether it's incompetence or bias, the officials evidently are unable to perform their jobs efficiently. Given his past history, Ken Williamson should never officiate another Tennessee game again. Sources: https://www.secsports.com/article/27535428/sec-football-officiating-evaluation-accountability https://fayettevilleflyer.com/2009/10/21/arkansas-florida-officiating-crew-suspended-by-the-sec/ https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/curren/team/466 https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/468/p3

By: Alex Harmon Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20231025 Rivalries: during this time of the year, we see these words get tossed around all throughout college football. They can bring out the best and worst of emotions in people. Some of them have started just over the last few seasons and some have roots that run deeper than you could ever imagine. For me, as well as other fanatics across this great nation, there are rivalries that stand out and are pinpointed on the calendar each season. The Iron Bowl, Red River Shootout, Egg Bowl, and Bedlam just to name a few have brought us some of the best live action football that money can buy. As for the Tennessee Volunteers, one of those games is making its way over the horizon this coming Saturday known as the “Battle of the Barrel.” The barrel, also known as the Beer Barrel, made its appearance in 1925 when a group of Kentucky students rolled it out onto the field to celebrate a 23-20 victory over Tennessee. Little did they know that almost a 100 years later, it would blossom into one of the biggest rivalry games on the schedule for both teams. It was used as a trophy and taken back to the respective school and kept as a token of victory until the next time the two foes met. Throughout the history of the barrel, Kentucky was only able to take home the trophy piece a total of 14 times as the Tennessee Volunteers remained in control of the barrel for a majority of the time. That is until the 1998 season, when unfortunately, two Kentucky football players passed in an alcohol related car accident. Before the 1999 season, both schools made an agreement to put the barrel away for good considering the tragedy that had taken place. Since that 1998 season, Kentucky has only been able to pull out a win over Tennessee a total of three times in 2011, 2017, and 2020. Some of those rivalry games have been closer than others, but that doesn’t stop the fans from pouring on the banter for social media. If you don’t believe this game carries any weight to the fans and players, just hop onto whatever social media app you have during the week leading up to the game and see if that doesn’t tell a different story. Fans from both sides take their best shot at each other in hopes of their trash talk holding up during the 60 minutes of intense battle on the field. This rivalry has seen some of the best players to ever play college football along with some nail-biting wins and blowout losses on both sides. Although the Beer Barrel is no longer presented to the winning team, that does not take away the tradition of mutual hatred that Kentucky and Tennessee have for each other on the field regardless of what the series record shows and 2023 will be no different as Tennessee travels to Lexington, KY for yet another chapter in the Battle of the Barrel rivalry.

By: Nate Livesay Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20231025 While frustration is understandable for Vol fans after a second half collapse caused the Vols to fall to Alabama 34-20, the reasons for optimism are clear if you want to see them. Despite going into the game as more than a touchdown underdog after losing their last three games in Tuscaloosa by an average margin of 29 points, the Vols had a chance to win this game. While the Vols are rebuilding their roster under 3rd year coach Josh Heupel, Alabama has one of the nations most talented rosters evidenced by the fact it sits atop the Blue-Chip Ratio with 88% of their roster being 4 or 5 star recruits and the second half outcome made this evident. The first half went about as well as the Vols could have hoped. The offense was efficient on the ground and Joe Milton threw two touchdown passes while the defense harassed Alabama into two turnovers behind dominant edge rusher James Pierce. The Vols led 20-7 and only struggles in the red zone prevented the lead from being even larger. Tennessee's red zone offense has to improve moving forward as it will likely be crucial in the remaining SEC match ups. Unfortunately, all the Vols momentum disappeared in the locker room as the second half started poorly and got worse. Alabama found the end zone in only two plays on its first drive and scored on every possession until the game was no longer in doubt. The Vols offense got nothing done and a strip sack of Joe Milton returned for an Alabama touchdown was the final nail in the coffin. The Vols first half performance on the road was encouraging. The game plan was sound and had Alabama on their heels. The offense executed as well as it had all season outside of the red zone and the defense continued to cause havoc. It showed that the Vols are capable of winning any game left on their schedule; however the second half collapse made it clear that no road game will be easy for this group. While some folks want to make all losses about Joe Milton’s shortcomings or Josh Heupel’s decision making, you have to give some credit to the players and coaches on the other team as history says most SEC games are won by the team with the most talent on the roster. Turning eyes toward Kentucky, this is the season's most important game. Before the Vols can challenge Alabama and Georgia for the top of the SEC they have to prove that they are firmly back ahead of the rest of the SEC East in the present and not just by program history. They’ve already dispatched South Carolina and now they face a Kentucky team that will be well rested coming off a bye week and motivated by two consecutive losses to Tennessee under Josh Heupel. The Vols defeated Kentucky 45-42 in Lexington in 2021 and embarrassed the Wildcats 44-6 in Neyland last season. While Tennessee has dominated Kentucky offensively in the past two games this game will be decided in the trenches. Both teams rank near the top of the SEC in rushing defense and rushing offense. It will be a strength on strength match up there. The team that can run the ball consistently and give their quarterback time to throw the ball will be the team that comes out on top in this game. If Tennessee can bottle up Ray Davis and force Devin Leary to try to make plays with his arm that is the recipe for success in Lexington Leary has struggled in SEC play completing less than 50% of his passes and has thrown multiple interceptions in 2 of 4 SEC contests. Kentucky hasn’t allowed many sacks but the SEC teams they have faced so far are at the bottom of the SEC in sacks while Tennessee’s 28 sacks place them 1 off the lead in the conference. If the Vols can force Kentucky into obvious passing situations it should be able to get pressure on Leary and force turnovers that will give the Vol offense a short field. By the same token if Tennessee is able to create running room for Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small and Dylan Sampson it will force Kentucky to commit more resources to stopping the run and leave a pass defense that is 12th in the SEC vulnerable to attack. If Tennessee is able to establish the run expect Joe Milton and the Vol wide receivers to be able to connect on a couple of explosive pass plays. A win in Lexington likely answers questions about Tennessee’s ability to play well on the road and what happens at quarterback for the rest of the season. Another 10 win regular season is still on the table and November match ups with Missouri and Georgia are huge games. A loss? Then things get really dicey. The clamor for 5 star back up quarterback Nico Iamaleava will become much much louder and Josh Heupel will legitimately face a decision headed into the November 4th home game against Uconn.

By: Gage Ellison Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20231024 The Savior of a dormant giant or merely a placeholder for whoever comes next? To really answer the question, first perspective must be provided about exactly what Heupel inherited with the Vols. Three seasons ago, Jeremy Pruitt left the Tennessee program in a state of turmoil worse than ever before seen in Knoxville. The Vols were coming off a 3-7 finish to the 2020 season with recruiting violations starting to pile up. This led to the worst exodus the Vols roster has seen. 30 players hit the portal, 23 being on scholarship highlighted by the loss of the leading rusher Eric Gray and the leader in sacks and tackles, Henry To'oto'o. Heupel was hired nine days after the firing of Jeremy Pruitt. The fan base gave mostly negative feedback to the hire, but most seemed to fail to realize coaches weren't lining up to interview anyhow. Heupel stepped into a program with one winning season in the last four, and a patchwork roster unable to fill scholarships. To summarize, Heup walked into a true dumpster fire. The Vols entered year one with super low expectations from media and fans. Expectations in which Heupel absolutely crushed. Year one changed when starting quarterback Joe Milton went down against ACC champion, Pittsburgh. In this home game, Hendon Hooker stepped in and totaled 227 yards and two touchdowns. His highlight reel game wasn't enough however as the Vols fell 41-34 to Kenny Pickett and his team. Tennessee followed that loss in the coming weeks with decimating wins against Missouri and South Carolina. Games that saw the Volunteer offense look unstoppable totaling a combined 107 points. Year one had it's ups and downs, but ultimately saw the Vols finish with a 7-6 record. The promise shown was beyond what anyone imagined with wins against a 10 win Kentucky squad in Lexington and a blowout of in-state rival, Vanderbuilt. Expectations grew by the week throughout the off-season. Heupel, just one year removed from inheriting dumpster fire, entered year two with hope behind the super senior star Hendon Hooker. Vegas set Tennessee`s win total at 7.5. A total that the Vols cruised well beyond. The schedule was a gauntlet to say the least. Featuring games against Pittsburgh, LSU, and Georgia on the road. On top of this they still faced Florida, Alabama, and a Kentucky team coming off another 10 win season at home. Heupel led the Vols to the program`s best start since 1998. The Vols rattled off 8 straight before heading into a playoff deciding match up with the defending nation champions in Athens. Georgia showed off it's talent and depth cruising past the Vols, 27-13. Everyone remembers what happened soon after in Columbia as South Carolina embarrassed the Vols 63-38. That wasn't the only major loss. Star QB Hendon Hooker tore his ACL and would miss the remainder of the season. That didn't stop the Vols from handling the ACC Champion, Clemson Tigers, in an Orange Bowl that would cap off the best season for the Vols since 2001. Heupel now had an 11-2 season paired with a NY6 bowl win added to his resume. Expectations grew even higher. Were these expectations really fair though? Now over half-way into year three, the Vols set at 5-2 with both losses coming on the road to Florida and Alabama. Fans have taken to twitter to share disappointment with the Vols. The disappointment doesn't really seem fair though. Most hall-of-fame coaches struggled on the road in year three. Dabo Swinney suffered blowout losses to Georgia Tech, NC State, and South Carolina all on the road. Saban went 8-5 at LSU in year three struggling to win on the road. Those coaches seemed to get blown out in road games. Same can be said for Harbaugh and many other notorious coaches. Though Heupel has struggled, his team has competed on the road in year three. None of the coaches listed above entered into a program near the state the Vols found themselves in three short years ago. The roster was bound to show deficiencies with the lack of depth and talent that has accumulated since learning of the uncertainty following the destructive violations left by Pruitt. Heupel hasn't complained. He put his head down and pulled in massive talents such as Nico Iamaleava, Jordan Ross, and Mike Matthews. Hendon Hooker vaulted the Vols past anyone's expectations and far past reality. Yet Heupel has shown promise the program hasn't witnessed in 20+ years. Nobody inside the fan base should question IF Heup can get the Vols back to elite status, they should only question when. The Vols have shown flashes of what is to come in the future. Heupel has shown the ability to win big games and get over humps that lasted 15 years. Tennessee is no longer the doormat it became for 20 years. Heupel saved the program and its only a matter of time before the Vols are back to elite status. Vol Nation should have trust in the fact that Heupel is the savior this program has longed for far too long. The drought will end, and Heupel will be the guy to deliver Tennessee to the mountain top of glory.

By: Matthew Woods Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20231024 A little more than two and a half seasons into Josh Heupel’s tenure as Tennessee’s football coach, the Volunteers have already accomplished so much more than what could have been expected of them when he took the job in January 2021. Through 33 games, Heupel boasts a 23-10 record (12-8 in SEC) with signature wins over Florida, LSU, Alabama, and Clemson. Neyland Stadium is once again on the short list of the scariest places for a visiting team to try to win a football game, and Knoxville, Tennessee, is once again one of the premier destinations for recruits. So many of the deficiencies that Volunteer fans had grown all too accustomed to their Vols displaying every Saturday in the fall have been rectified. However, there is one major hurdle that Heupel’s Volunteers have yet to get over, and they won’t return to truly elite status as a football program until they are able to conquer it: the hostile road environment. The Volunteers’ inability to overcome the home team, its rabid fans, and that all important “home-whistle” is proving to be a pattern. In fact, Tennessee has lost four of its last five road games dating back to last season with its only win in that span coming in “little Neyland” in Nashville against the Vanderbilt Commodores. What truly separates good programs from elite ones is the ability to find a way to win in the face of adversity. That’s what Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs have done over and over again the past few years, and that’s what Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide did to the Volunteers on Saturday. Down 20-7 at halftime in a game that Tennessee had thoroughly controlled for the first 30 minutes, Alabama landed its first major counterpunch of the game less than a minute into the third quarter with a two play touchdown drive. This was followed by an eyebrow raising penalty on the ensuing kickoff against Tennessee return specialist Dee Williams that left the Vols with starting field position at the four yard line. Facing its first bit of adversity with the crowd inside Bryant-Denny at full song, Tennessee’s playcallers folded. Seemingly scared to let Joe Milton, whose first half was arguably his best as a Volunteer, throw the football from the endzone, the Vols dialed up three consecutive run plays that resulted in a three-and-out and a punt. By this point, the momentum was completely on the side of the Crimson Tide, and they would not relinquish it for the rest of the game. Throughout the second half, Tennessee couldn’t get in any sort of rhythm on offense, and they couldn’t get off the field on third down on defense. Combine those shortcomings with a referee crew that threw just one flag on Alabama the entire game yet seemed eager to find anything to penalize the Vols for, and you have a recipe for an all-time second half collapse. Tennessee would fail to score a single point after halftime while giving up 27 to the Tide. Ultimately, Tennessee didn’t lose on Saturday because they were out-manned (not counting the referees, of course). As a matter of fact, I watched in awe during the first half at just how well Tennessee matched up everywhere on the field. They lost the game because they couldn’t regain their composure after a few plays and more than a few calls didn’t go their way, something that they seem to do every time they go on the road. Sure, there have been some good road wins in Heupel’s tenure, beating Kentucky in Lexington in ‘21 and LSU in Baton Rouge last season. But Kroger Field is not The Swamp the same way that Tiger Stadium at 11 in the morning is not really the Death Valley that it turns into when the sun goes down. There’s a reason you heard Nick Saban imploring the Crimson Tide fans to show up and show out in the lead up to this game much like Kirby Smart did when the Vols were traveling to Athens last season. The Tennessee Volunteers under Josh Heupel have a reputation as a team that doesn’t travel well, and they’ve earned it. If Heupel can eventually find a way to get a full 60 minutes out of his team in a truly elite road environment, it may be the last piece of the puzzle. If he can’t, Tennessee will remain in the “good, not great” class of college football.

By: The All Vol Call in Show Staff 20231020 We've made it to week eight. There are a multitude of big conference match ups this week across the country, including Penn St. v. Ohio St., Duke v. Florida St., Utah v. USC, and more -- but there are none bigger than the Third Saturday in October. Heated SEC rivals Alabama and Tennessee square off in a rematch of one of the best games from 2022, which saw the #Vols break a 15 year losing streak in an incredible 52-49 victory in Knoxville. The last time Tennessee defeated Alabama in back-to-back seasons was 2003 and 2004. From 1995-2001, Tennessee maintained a seven game winning streak. It is the longest winning streak against Alabama in its history by any team. However, from 2007-2021, Alabama amassed a winning streak of its own, winning 15 straight. Do the #Vols have what it takes to get another victory over the #Tide? John Dunn Founder, Managing Director, Producer, Host Alabama and Tennessee feel like they're very comparable teams right now. In any other season, that would be an incredible compliment to Tennessee. However, both teams have their fair share of struggles this year, seemingly in similar areas. Alabama is 81st in passing offense, while Tennessee is 87th. This seems to be each team's weak point. However, Tennessee has the running game to circumvent some of its passing game woes. The Vols are the sixth best rushing team in the nation, with the Tide ranking 70th overall. The offensive advantage leans to Tennessee. On defense we see an even tighter comparison between the two. Alabama is 18th in rush defense, whereas Tennessee is 20th. In passing defense, the Tide are 22nd, whereas Tennessee is 28th. The teams are borderline dead-even. A look at common opponents and success against common opponents will tell the casual observer that this game is going to be tight, and they may not be wrong. What makes the biggest difference in this game is that it's in Tuscaloosa. I expect both defensive coordinators to have a very similar plan; stack the box and force Milroe and Milton to win the game through the air. Neither quarterback has show "world beater" abilities from the position this season. It will come down to takeaways and offensive success on the ground. I worry about the Alabama defense causing too much disruption for the Tennessee offense, forcing them to be one-dimensional and only able to run the ball. This will be a test for both teams, and I expect and absolute dogfight until the very end with the Tide adding a touchdown late. Prediction: Alabama - 31 | Tennessee - 17 Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Content Manager, Co-Host Tennessee's strong running game against Texas A&M is promising, but facing a revenge-driven Alabama will require success in the passing game that the Vols and Joe Milton have not proven they can do at the level necessary to clinch the program's first win in Tuscaloosa since 2003. Prediction: Alabama - 31 | Tennessee - 17 Jake Hubbard Senior Staff Writer, Content Manager, Co-Host This is the hardest prediction I have written, because I can honestly see this game going several different ways. Tennessee has had one road test this season, and that led to the single blemish on their record… and that game was ugly. Joe Milton didn’t look terrible last week against Texas A&M but he certainly didn’t look good. The rushing attack continues to be elite, and Tennessee has a front seven that can get to any quarterback. However, Tennessee is taking on King Saban in his kingdom. Heupel must prove to me that he trusts his quarterback on the road. Milton must prove me to that he can make plays in hostile environments against top-tier teams. Tennessee can win this game, but I have Alabama getting revenge. I hope they prove me wrong… Prediction: Alabama - 31 | Tennessee - 20 Joe Davis Junior Staff Writer The word on Alabama was they were committed to going back to their old ways before the season started. Playing "joyless murder ball" was the phrase used. Well, that hasn't exactly been the case as the offensive line has been less than stellar and the run game has yet to really find its wheels. They've had some success at times but they've also stumbled as evidence in the 42 total yards rushing against Texas A&M. QB Jalen Milroe has provided a spark on the ground, leading the team in rushing touchdowns. But he also can be a little turnover prone. The Tide has given 100+ on the ground four times including 150+ against South Florida and Mississippi St. I believe through the air is where Bama will look to make a difference taking multiple deep shots to open up the ground game. Meanwhile the Vols have had big offensive plans that seemingly went out the window for a new scheme as well. Tennessee has been winning this year using rushing and defense. The Vols "gimmick" offense of running the ball and running the ball then running some more and playing defense has led them to the start of another solid year. Much maligned QB Joe Milton hasn't been able to find a true rhythm with the receiving corp as drops and missed passes have plagued both Joe and the receivers all season. Add in the Vols struggles in true road games going back to late last season and this could be a tough Saturday. Tennessee will again look to try to control this game on the ground and put heavy pressure on Jalen Milroe with emerging superstar James Pearce Jr and veteran Tyler Baron. Public opinion is pretty evenly split on the point spread which is currently at -9 for Alabama. My humble opinion is someone somewhere sold their soul last year for the effort they Vols gave in breaking the streak. While they will spend eternity in Lexington or Athens or whatever purgatory they're assigned, I'm not sure that it will work again this season. I think the Tide gets this one at home. Prediction: Alabama - 31 | Tennessee - 21

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20231017 For most of the fans attending the conference match up between Tennessee and Texas A&M on Saturday, it was just another game, but for Luke, it very well could be the day he looks back on as the day he became a “Vol for life.” Clayton Hromadka and his wife Marissa moved to the Volunteer State from Texas roughly eight years ago. They are both alumni of Texas A&M and were season ticket holders until their move. The couple had planned on making a game in Neyland Stadium since they moved to Tennessee, but it just wasn’t meant to be -- until this season. Saturday, they took their son Luke to his first ever college football game. “We got a text from a friend of mine who played golf for the Tennessee back in the day, offering us a chance to come to the game,” Clayton said. “We woke up Saturday and Luke was so excited.” The start of their game day experience would be a precursor to the hospitable nature of Tennessee fans on game day. Clayton elaborated that when they arrived at the parking garage the attendant jokingly said “You’ll have to park somewhere else, this garage is full.” Hromadka then made the turn into the garage where he spotted an orange casket, decked in Vols colors, which they found very humorous. The family was there early enough to see the Vol Walk, and a few tailgates even offered them drinks and food before they found their way over to the VolShop. “I could tell Luke was digging the Smokey apparel," said Clayton. “Their dog looks cooler than ours.” Once they finally made their way inside and to their seats, they immediately struck up a conversation with fans around them. Upon telling Tennessee fans that this was Luke’s first college football game, they jokingly remarked that a first game being in Neyland Stadium may “spoil him.” “It’s cool to see the Power-T entrance on t.v., but seeing it in person really raises the bar," said Clayton. "Lots of teams have great entrances but that one is definitely one of the best I’ve seen. Special shout out to the DJ, whoever that man was, for rocking it all day long!” Hromadka said. With about two minutes remaining in what was a highly contested game, an older gentleman in front of Clayton turned around and said, 'regardless of the outcome, we are excited to see you at the game with your son.' "He said that he really enjoyed watching Luke and I enjoy the experience.” “After Tennessee won, he turned back around to shake my hand again, gave Luke a big high five, and said 'great game young man!' There were at least another half-dozen fist bumps and high fives from fans all around us. I'd like to shout out Section S. It’s full of respectful people.” Clayton added. At some point during the experience, maybe after Clayton’s post on X (Twitter) went viral, Luke decided he wanted to switch sides. “Luke has officially changed sides and wants to be a Vol. He said, 'Your Aggies never made me go viral.' “I might have to return the Aggie gear I already bought him and buy him some orange -- or maybe not!” One thing is for sure, Luke will never forget his experience at Neyland Stadium, and for that, I say bravo VolNation.

By: The All Vol Call in Show Staff 20231013 It's hard to believe we are already seven weeks into the college football season. What's even harder to believe is that no one truly knows who the "top dog" in the SEC is right now. Every team in the conference has played good games and bad games. Saturday's match up between the #Vols and #Aggies will be a telling game for both teams involved, and could be season-defining, as each look to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in their respective divisions. John Dunn Founder, Managing Director, Producer, Host I have went back-and-forth on this game all week. Texas A&M and Tennessee look about as even as two teams can look coming into this game. However, there is one huge difference: Neyland Stadium. There has already been one "game for the ages" played in this series. Back in 2016, in College Station, Trevor Knight and the #Aggies were triumphant in a 2OT match up that saw the eighth and ninth ranked teams in the country battle down-to-the-wire. Saturday's contest could be very similar. Tennessee has played in, and won, more overtime games than any other team in CFB history. The #Aggies are 0-7 in their last seven road games, while the #Vols are 12-0 in their last 12 games in Neyland Stadium. I absolutely love what Tennessee has been able to do on the ground this season. They're one of the best rushing teams in the entire nation. I think that, plus a great showing from the defensive line, could be what proves to be the deciding factor in this game. Tennessee leads the nation in sacks, and are fifth in the country in tackles-for-loss. I like Tennessee in a close one. Prediction: Tennessee - 38 | Texas A&M - 35 (OT) Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Content Manager, Co-Host For me, this is the hardest game we’ve had to predict so far. The game will be won in the trenches, and I’m unsure how I feel about that. We've all seen the stats comparing the two teams, and while the numbers do favor Tennessee, the difference in schedules bothers me. I’m giving Tennessee a slight edge. The Vols are at home and have Josh Heupel while Jimbo Fisher leads Texas A&M. Prediction: Tennessee - 21 | Texas A&M - 20 Jake Hubbard Senior Staff Writer, Co-Host Tennessee’s defense looked the part against South Carolina and the offense did enough as well. Joe Milton looked better, the run game continued to dominate, and Tennessee handled the Gamecocks with little resistance. Texas A&M is a tougher game, in my opinion. I think that the Aggies have one of the most athletic and talented rosters in the country. This will be a close one, and it could be the make-or-break game for Tennessee’s season. Neyland will be rocking, Tennessee wins. Prediction: Tennessee - 31 | Texas A&M - 24 Zac Strickland Junior Staff Writer It’s crazy how every SEC game just feels so crucial to win, and that’s because when there are only eight of them per year, they really are. Texas A&M finally gets to really experience Neyland Stadium for the first time in their SEC stint, and the checkered crowd will have to do their part to swing the game Tennessee’s way. Both teams are similar defensively, with strong fronts and vulnerable secondaries. Both have proven to be capable of disrupting an opponent’s offensive flow by generating high volumes of sacks and TFL’s. Which team’s embattled offensive line will hold up better? It feels like for the A&M offense, the whole has always been less than the sum of its parts. The receiver room is elite, the RB’s are solid, and Max Johnson is better than most backups. Though I trust the Vol defense to do well based on what I’ve seen so far, there’s always the scary potential that all that Aggie talent finally just clicks. An underrated stat from the Texas A&M defense is that the Aggies have yet to give up a rushing TD in the red zone this season. While I think the Vols will be able to move the ball fine between the 20’s, they may need to hit a few timely passes in a shrunken field to come away with 7 instead of 3. Joe Milton hit such a pass to Jacob Warren on 3rd and goal against South Carolina. This game will be an absolute slobberknocker, and I don’t foresee a particularly high-scoring affair either. It may look somewhat similar to what we saw from Texas A&M’s last game against Alabama. I think it likely comes down to the final minute, but I have to give a slight edge to the more rested team at home, with who I believe is the better coaching staff in 2023. Between the two, I trust Josh Heupel to put his guys in position to manufacture points against a tough defensive front more than I trust Jimbo Fisher to do the same. Prediction: Tennessee - 27 | Texas A&M - 24 Joe Davis Junior Staff Writer If ever two teams were playing under the capacity of their roster these two are it. Texas A&M visits Neyland Saturday to take on the Vols in the CBS game of the week. The Aggies are 4-2 on the season having lost to Miami and Alabama. This roster may be as talented as any in America but the Fighting Jimbo Fishers continue to play pretty middle of the road. Meanwhile the Vols have their own "how did we just lose to that mediocre team from the state of Florida" blemish on their own record. Tennessee is starting a pivotal stretch that will define the season. The Vols next 5 conference opponents are currently 25-5. There are no gimmes on the horizon. Tennessee needs to win this badly and get the stretch started off right. This game is really hard to predict as we haven't seen two "which team will show up" teams like this match up this season. But, I am truly hopeful as the general public believes nearly 70% that A&M will win…usually the general public is wrong. Prediction: Tennessee - 30 | Texas A&M - 24

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer, Content Manager, Junior Editor, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20231010 As the season began, the anticipation was palpable for the Tennessee team, with hopes of maintaining an unblemished record at 5-0 leading into its bye week. However, reality has unfolded differently, with the team currently standing at 4-1, facing the same pressing questions that loomed at the start of the season. While all is not lost, winning the East division remains a viable goal, but certain adjustments are essential for achieving it. Joe Milton's Dilemma: Balancing Risk and Precision Against South Carolina, Joe Milton's performance was a mixed bag. He showcased his potential with an unforgettable throw to Squirrel White at the end of the first quarter. However, he also threw two head-scratching interceptions that showcased poor decision-making. The South Carolina game encapsulated the young season's theme: Milton's ability to take calculated risks downfield with head-scratching decisions. For Tennessee to thrive in the second half of the season, Milton must strike a balance. While taking chances and shots downfield is essential, he needs to refine his precision and minimize high-risk plays. This adjustment will help an offensive line that seems to be finding its footing, creating more opportunities for game-changing plays. Wide Receiver Woes: Filling Jalin Hyatt's Void Losing Jalin Hyatt was anticipated to hurt, but the extent of the impact wasn't entirely clear. Unfortunately, the wide receivers have struggled to step up. Dont'e Thornton, who garnered significant preseason hype, has yet to make a substantial impact. As of now, he has managed just seven catches for 89 yards and zero touchdowns. To put this in perspective, at the same point last season, Hyatt caught 27 receptions for 388 yards and five touchdowns. Matching or exceeding Hyatt's stats was a tall order, given his exceptional talent. Nevertheless, Thornton and the rest of the receiving corps must contribute more to the Tennessee offense. They need to create explosive plays and become dependable targets for Milton if they wish to remain contenders. Defensive Dominance: Sacks and Tackles for Loss On the defensive front, the recipe for success is clear: replicate the performance against South Carolina. Tennessee currently leads the nation in sacks with an impressive tally of 22 and ranks fifth in team tackles for loss. This defensive prowess has been a highlight of the season. Sustaining this level of dominance will be pivotal. Consistency in generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks and disrupting plays behind the line of scrimmage can help secure victories in crucial match ups down the road. Discipline: The Penalty Plague As a team, Tennessee must address its penalty problem. Currently, they are among the most penalized teams in the country, accumulating 36 penalties for 300 yards. Penalties not only disrupt offensive rhythm but also provide opponents with advantageous field position. Reducing these is crucial for both offensive and defensive success. Conclusion: The Road Ahead In conclusion, Tennessee has the potential to remain a strong contender for the division championship. Balancing Joe Milton's risk-taking, revitalizing the wide receivers, maintaining defensive dominance, and reducing penalties are the keys to unlocking success. While challenges will persist, the team's journey is far from over, and with the right adjustments, they can still achieve their goals.