Big Orange Sunday

0.0 (0)
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
UPDATED WEEKLY

Former University of Tennessee coordinator Doug Mathews brings you the latest news and analysis every weekend on 104-5 The Zone. Find the show LIVE every Sunday morning at 8 AM and check out the full podcast right here every weekend.

9 HR AGO

BIG ORANGE SUNDAY 4-26-26

In this episode of Big Orange Sunday, host Coach Doug Mathews takes listeners into "Realville" to analyze the shifting landscape of University of Tennessee football following the conclusion of spring practice. Mathews details the impact of the new 105-scholarship limit and predicts that the transfer portal will likely lead to an annual roster turnover of approximately 40%. He notes that the 2026 squad currently features only 18 players in their final year of eligibility, while the program is simultaneously breaking records by offering 18 in-state high school prospects for the 2027 recruiting class. The discussion also looks ahead to a favorable 2026 home schedule that includes high-stakes matchups against Alabama, Florida, and LSU at Neyland Stadium. The episode continues with veteran journalist Jimmy Hyams, who provides a comprehensive update on the success of Tennessee’s spring sports. They celebrate a historic milestone for the Lady Vols golf team, which captured its first-ever SEC Championship after entering the tournament as an underdog. Hyams also recaps the 2026 NFL Draft, highlighting the five Volunteers selected—including Jermod McCoy to the Raiders and Colton Hood—as part of a record-breaking year that saw 87 SEC players drafted. Finally, the segment touches on the diamond sports’ performance against Alabama and the basketball program's roster adjustments following Nate Ament's NBA Draft declaration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 hr
19 APR

BIG ORANGE SUNDAY 4-19-26

In this episode of Big Orange Sunday, Coach Doug Mathews breaks down the rapidly evolving landscape of college football roster construction for the 2026 season. He analyzes the dramatic shift toward the Transfer Portal and NIL era, noting that the traditional model of developing high school recruits over several years has become a "rare commodity". The discussion provides a deep dive into how programs like Georgia and Tennessee are navigating these changes, specifically highlighting Coach Josh Heupel’s balanced approach to blending veteran transfers with home-grown talent. The middle segment features an in-depth interview with Jimmy Hyams, who offers a comprehensive recap of spring practice and the current state of Tennessee athletics. Hyams reports that the defense appears ahead of schedule under Jim Knowles, largely due to a simplified teaching approach and the integration of players already familiar with the system. The duo also discusses the ongoing quarterback battle between McIntosh and Faizon Brandon, the depth of the running back room, and the critical importance of being "efficient" at the quarterback position heading into a tough conference schedule. The episode concludes with a broader look at the university's sports programs, including significant roster moves for the men's and women's basketball teams. Jimmy Hyams details Rick Barnes’ successful portal acquisitions, such as Jalen Haralson and Miles Ruben, while also weighing the potential return of Nate Ament. Finally, the show touches on the challenges facing Tennessee Baseball in the midst of a tough series against Ole Miss, emphasizing the team's need to find consistency as they fight for a spot on the NCAA tournament bubble. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 hr
19 APR

BOS - Jimmy Hyams 4-19-26

In this segment, Jimmy Hyams joins Doug Mathews to break down the latest developments across Tennessee athletics as spring practice wraps up and roster building heats up. From defensive schemes to a high-stakes quarterback battle, Jimmy provides expert analysis on where the Vols stand heading into the summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 min
19 APR

Coach Church Segment 4-19-26

In today's Church segment, Coach Doug Mathews dives deep into the rapidly shifting landscape of college football roster construction. As the 2026 season approaches, Coach analyzes the stark contrast between the traditional "high school development" model and the current Transfer Portal/NIL era. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 min
13 APR

Coach Mathews Recaps Tennessee Spring Practice

Coach Mathews gives a full recap of the Vols Spring Practice after the conclusion of the Orange and White Spring Game. Coach gives his thoughts on where the program stands at the current moment and where they can/will improve heading into the summer months! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 min
12 APR

BOS - Jimmy Hyams 4-12-26

Coach and Jimmy Hyams provide a comprehensive review of the 2026 Tennessee Volunteers spring practice season. They center on the high-stakes quarterback competition between redshirt freshmen George McIntyre and Faizon Brandon, alongside a deep dive into the significant defensive overhaul under new coordinator Jim Knowles. With twelve new transfer additions joining the defensive unit, the discussion explores how these new faces are integrating into the system and what fans can expect from the team’s development as they look toward the fall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 min
12 APR

BIG ORANGE SUNDAY 4-12-26

Welcome to another episode of Big Orange Sunday, your home for an in-depth review of the 2026 spring practice season. In this episode, host Doug Matthews is joined by Jimmy Hyams to break down the most critical storylines emerging from the Orange and White event. The discussion centers on the intense quarterback battle between redshirt freshmen George McIntyre and Faizon Brandon, as well as the significant defensive overhaul led by new coordinator Jim Knowles. We examine how twelve new transfer additions are shaping the roster and what these developments mean for the team’s trajectory heading into the fall. The second half of the show provides a "football functional" look at the revamped secondary, the depth at the linebacker position, and the increased athleticism across the defensive line. Beyond the gridiron, we provide updates on the Tennessee baseball and basketball programs and discuss the impact of the new strength and conditioning program under Coach Owens. Whether you are tracking production logistics or looking for expert analysis on player development, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the current state of the program and what fans can expect in the coming months. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 hr
5 APR

BIG ORANGE SUNDAY 4-5-26

Coach Doug Matthews reflects on the unique challenges and opportunities of spring practice, honors a handful of former Vol Football legends for their stories on and off the field, the dynamics of the Quarterback position, analysis for multiple position groups, and recruiting milestones for the Tennessee program! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 hr

See All (100)

Former University of Tennessee coordinator Doug Mathews brings you the latest news and analysis every weekend on 104-5 The Zone. Find the show LIVE every Sunday morning at 8 AM and check out the full podcast right here every weekend.