The Volunteer State

When Tennessee gave No. 1 Alabama a scare on Saturday before fading late in a 35-13 loss in Tuscaloosa, many chalked it up as a moral victory. The Vols, after all, were 34.5-point underdogs.

News Sentinel sports writers John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer are picking every SEC game against the line this season. Here are the Week 8 picks, with each selecting a top play of the weekend, using the betMGM.com consensus line for each game.

After a 1-4 start to the year, should it be considered a success if the Vols rally to finish 5-7, which would match last season's record? 

News Sentinel sports writers John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer are picking every SEC game against the line this season. Here are the Week 7 picks, with each selecting a top play of the weekend, using the betMGM.com consensus line for each game.

Tennessee's switch to Brian Maurer at quarterback invigorated the offense during the first half of Saturday's 43-14 loss to No. 3 Georgia and gave Vols fans a reason to feel optimistic. What does this change mean for Jarrett Guarantano, who is now in a backup role?

News Sentinel sports writers John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer are picking every SEC game against the line this season. Here are the Week 6 picks, with each selecting a top play of the weekend, using the betMGM.com consensus line for each game.

Does Butch Jones deserve another chance as a head coach at the Power 5 level? That's a question for Rutgers to ponder as its coaching search to replace Chris Ash, who was fired Sunday, unfolds.

News Sentinel sports writers John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer are picking every SEC game against the line this season. Here are the Week 5 picks, with each selecting a top play of the weekend, using the betMGM.com consensus line for each game.

Jeremy Pruitt is on the fast track to a second straight losing season to begin his tenure as Tennessee's coach. Should he be fired if it continues to go south?

News Sentinel sports writers John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer are picking every SEC game against the line this season. Here are the Week 4 picks, with each selecting a top play of the weekend, using the betMGM.com consensus line for each game.

Sometimes a coach's wit can be the difference in helping an underdog pull off an upset. This week we discuss whether 14-point underdog Tennessee might be poised to beat the Gators for what would be just the second time in the past 15 matchups in this rivalry series.

News Sentinel sports writers John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer are picking every SEC game against the line this season. Here are the Week 3 picks, with each selecting a top play of the weekend, using the VegasInsider.com consensus line for each game.

With Tennessee carrying an 0-2 record for the first time since 1988, many Vols fans clearly are frustrated with Pruitt. Does he deserve more patience than he's receiving while he proceeds through his second season as Tennessee's coach? 

The Knoxville News Sentinel staff picks every SEC game in Week 2 against the point spread.

On this edition we recap Tennessee's defeat in the season opener and examine how it changes the narrative for the Vols and Jeremy Pruitt.