Power-T Talk

Ring In The New Year...With Takes!

Welcome to Power-T Talk, Year 2026! We are back and discussing the world of college football as we delve into the playoffs and the silly season that is the transfer portal. First, we discuss the current landscape of college football; how legitimate is a national title in 2026? And what era produced the "most legitimate" titles? In reviewing the Music City Bowl, what our the main takeaways from Tennessee's loss? Tennessee announced their defensive staff, we give a quick synopsis of the new coaches on that side of the bowl. Looking at the transfer portal and what Tennessee has lost...but also which transfer out bothered us the most. Then we review the upcoming five days of playoff games and give (unserious) predictions!
0:00- Introduction0:27- Daniel's New Year Diatribe...The legitimacy of college football champions8:48- The NFL-ization of college football14:07- The Portal "Market" & future development of players19:25- Would a college football head coaching job even be fun?24:27- Initial Music City Bowl Game Thoughts27:41- The snap counts made zero sense defensively34:48- How being unable to stop the run ruins everything38:41- Defensive staff overhaul45:13- Addition by subtraction on the defensive line50:39- Who has Tennessee lost in the portal so far54:18- Why Lance Heard leaving sucks1:05:58- Playoff conversation (NCAA & NFL!)

Season 2025, Episode 21: Dreaming Of A Big Orange Christmas

Power-T Talk brings the final Carol of the Bells in 2025! We will return the first week of January, but first we must go over what we have on Santa's list! We look into tidings of comfort and joy that bowl season brings and if is has the same Christmas Spirit it used to. We look to see what underclassmen could be promoted to important elves on defense in the bowl game against Illinois. Mike Matthews was on the sleigh team in 2025, but could he become the head reindeer with a breakout bowl game for Tennessee's offense? As Illinois looks to grinch away a victory from Tennessee, we preview what gifts Bret Bielema's team could bring to the Music City Bowl. Peyton Lewis is hitting the transfer portal but is it worth having a Blue Christmas about it? We unwrap what the playoff games brought us over the weekend and predict which teams not will not have themselves a merry little christmas time with the Quarterfinals upcoming. 
 
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
 
0:00- Introduction0:49- What does bowl season mean in 2025?5:21- How important is the bowl season for the underclassmen on defense?9:10- Who are we looking for on offense?16:36- What does Illinois bring to the table as a team?25:39- Any concern about Peyton Lewis in the transfer portal?31:25- Will we see any changeup at QB for the bowl game?37:00- Does Tennessee win?39:51- Playoff talk...Most surprising thing from the weekend?43:40- New Year's Playoff Predictions46:02- Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Power-T Talk!

Season 2025, Episode 20: Holiday Wish List

Welcome back to Power-T Talk! This week, we shift the focus to the hardwood and go over the Tennessee Basketball team's first 11 days. We look at the positives and negatives and what we are looking forward to as we inch closer to conference play. Then we go over our favorite plays for the 2025 football season and what holiday cheer it brought us. We have a fun little game and do a holiday wish list for the football team in 2026. Then we go over the departures so far for Tennessee and the impact it will have on the program.
 
0:00- Introduction0:49- BasketVols Update: Not a disaster!4:37- Any true concern about the three game losing streak?12:37- The lack of outside shooting18:16- What do the advanced numbers say about the offense?22:53- Is there a Nate Ament problem?29:12- Our favorites plays from the football season37:08- Tennessee Football Holiday Wish List53:42- Looking at Tennessee's current departures1:05:02- Ending

Season 2025, Episode 19: Tennessee Knowles The Answer

Power-T Talk continues to chug through the college football lull with big news and a big change at defensive coordinator. Daniel and Zack break down Tim Banks' firing and review his tenure at Tennessee. With the quick decision to go with veteran Jim Knowles, we break down how the scheme can bring success to Tennessee's defense and how accomplished Jim Knowles' resume is. Joey Aguilar is suing to get one more year of college football, but is this actually good for Tennessee in the long-term? The college playoff committee loves to cause a stir; we break down the fallout of Notre Dame's meltdown and initial playoff thoughts. Plus, we Around The NCAA and continue to ride Moore coaching carousel news.
 
0:00- Introduction...Make College Football Again5:01- Tennessee makes a major move and let's Tim Banks go16:17- Were we surprised Tennessee went with Knowles?20:20- Reviewing Jim Knowles' resume26:09- Breaking down what Knowles likes to do defensively35:54- The potential impact of Joey Aguilar getting 2026 eligibility55:11- Notre Dame's hissy fit1:06:53- Intial playoff thoughts1:16:45- More rides on the coaching carousel/Sherrone Moore out at Michigan1:32:41- Ending

Season 2025, Episode 18: V For Vandy's Vendetta

Remember, remember, the 29th of November. After the last four years of dominating the in-state rivalry, Tennessee got a taste of their own medicine after Vanderbilt exacted sweet revenge with a 45-24 beatdown of our Volunteers. Power-T Talk looks and discusses the tragic performance by the defense and if it was enough to convince us to move on from key defensive coaches. We also discuss some of the offensive issues that plagued Tennessee in the second half. Then Baton Rouge calls us to podcast about Lane Kiffin and his inability to help himself. Plus, we go Around The NCAA and circle things up with the coaching carousel. 
0:00- Introduction...Disgusting performance6:27- Defense...how shockingly bad was it?11:12- Defensive Grades...What went wrong defensively?19:35- Should heads roll for this performance?31:53- Offensive Grades...How much blame does Heupel's side of the ball get?42:47- It didn't matter but officiating was a disaster47:19- Lane Kiffin and ESPN58:17- LSU's future with Kiffin at the helm1:03:01- Rest of the SEC coaching carousel & um, Penn State wake up?1:11:13- The playoff is stupid and we are all dumber for it 

Season 2025, Episode 17: There Ain't No Easy Way Out

Power-T Talk is back in time for your Thanksgiving Holiday! For Florida, they backed down and there was no easy out from the Tennessee onslaught. We go over what the victory means, plus our grades for offense and defense. A big game awaits the Vols in Neyland as Vanderbilt looks to continue their playoff bid. We break down elite the Commodores offense is and how the Vols can try to contain Diego Pavia. After the Vols got their swagger back, we believe the offense is going to put up points on Vanderbilt's suspect defense. We also pick who wins the Tri-Star Showdown on Saturday. In Around The NCAA, we break down Rivalry Week, and what games we will keep our eye on, plus controversial diatribe about conference championships. 
 
0:00- Introduction/Exhale4:25- The score...we do not care10:28- Offensive Grade/Rating22:38- Defensive Grade/Rating32:59- Florida's Future+the weirdness of not playing them next year35:57- Vanderbilt Preview: Legitimately great offense48:30- The Commodores defense is extremely gettable54:40- Biggest concern on Saturday?59:08- Score Predictions1:07:57- Rivalry Week Radar1:13:46- The Game mini-preview...plus conference tiebreakers are dumb1:20:28- The Diatribe...It's time to get rid of conference championship games1:27:57- We are thankful for this awesome sports week

Season 2025, Episode 16: The Swamp of Horrors

Power-T Talk previews the Tennessee Florida game, one of the SEC's best rivalries! First, we review the mundane New Mexico State performance and if it actually matters. Also, what's going on with the backup QB role? Then we preview what Florida does on offense and defense and how Tennessee can attack both sides of the ball. Daniel asks Zack is some of his concerns about this game are logical or illogical, plus Zack goes off about being coaching aggressively in this game. Looking ahead, how big of a difference is 7-5 and 9-3 for the program? Then finally some Around the NCAA talk with the coaching carousel and why Mike Leach was right about committees. 
0:00- Introduction...Daniel (and fam) go to Neyland5:19- Offensive Rating against New Mexico State11:17- The backup QB situation14:15- Previewing the House of Horrors in Gainesville...Florida is not good!18:39- Looking at Florida's putrid offense29:46- How does Tennessee's offense stack up against the Gator defense?36:32- Logically, we should win...but...the horrors relived...40:27- Frozen in time...what concerns are objective and subjective54:29- Tennessee cannot be conservative in this game59:17- The Grand Canyon size difference between 9-3 and 7-51:03:20- The most reluctant score predictions in history1:08:54- As the (college football) world turns...1:15:18- Two diatribes for the price of one1:30:36- Final thoughts on Tennessee vs. Florida

Season 2025, Episode 15: A Backyard Football Podcast

With Tennessee playing a buy game in November, Power-T Talk went a little more broad in this week's episode. First, wetalk about the November schedule and the impact conference realignment has had for November. Then we go through the ratings for both the offense and defense; does it matchup with our overall view of the season on both sides of the ball? Then we have some fun, drafting a 7-on-7 backyard football team with the current crop of college football players. We do a twirl on the coaching carousel and how the NIL/portal era has changed college football head coaches. Finally, we give a couple scattered Tennessee thoughts to bring them 
 
0:00- Introduction1:21- The last November "buy" game?5:15- State of non-conference November rivalries7:56- Late season Defense check-in: It's that bad, isn't it?22:41- Offensive Ratings: Maybe a little harsh33:15- Drafting our "backyard" football team in 202547:08- The coaching carousel twirls1:06:12- Final Tennessee Volunteers thoughts

Season 2025, Episode 14: We Love That Basketball

Basketball season is here! And Power-T Talk has got you covered! After doing a quick dive into college basketball in 2025, we go in-depth into Rick Barnes' program and why Tennessee basketball has never been better. We praise Barnes' adaptability and the adjustments he has made that has correlated into unprecedented success at Tennessee. Then, we break down Nate Ament's game and what he can mean for Tennessee in 2025-2026. We then breakdown the other new incoming players and preview the roster, along with our biggest concern for the upcoming season. Then, we finally talk about Josh Elander being hired as the new Tennessee baseball coach. 
0:00-Introduction/College Basketball!2:45- It's hard to know who is good in today's game6:45- State of the Program: It's never been better11:53- Rick Barnes' adaptability does not get mentioned enough18:47- Tennessee and the NCAA Tournament22:22- What is Nate Ament's ceiling?29:10- Will Ament be the engine for the Tennessee offense?31:43- The impact of the the transfer class and what all three incoming transfers bring36:48- The unique addition of Ethan Burg40:27- A fun freshman class that's not just about Nate Ament45:08- The Core Four: Tennessee's returning players are vital in 2025-202649:37- What is our biggest concern for Tennessee's season?56:38- What Josh Elander brings to Tennessee's baseball program

Season 2025, Episode 13: Did You Get To Be A Star?

After a crushing loss to Oklahoma, Power-T Talk is back to discuss Tennessee football. We review how the Vols lost themselves and made too many mistakes to win such an important football game. Then we talk about the frustrations currently with the program. We have a small diatribe about Vol fans saying the season over. We then break down and give our offensive and defensive grades for the week. We wrap it with Neyland's atmosphere and go Around The NCAA. 
0:00-Introduction/ How the Vols lost themselves6:52- The mistakes continue to mount up12:11- The lack of complimentary football15:13- Stagnation frustrates everyone19:32- BREAKING: Season is not over!26:45- Offensive Grade vs. Oklahoma40:06- Defensive Grade vs. Oklahoma48:29- Has Neyland lost any juice?52:52- Around The NCAA...Where Power-T Talk was right and where Power-T Talk was wrong59:55- Final thoughts going into the bye week