A to Z Sports Podcast Network

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