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Big Orange Sunday

104.5 The Zone | Cumulus Media Nashville

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.

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  • 24 episodes
  • Avg 25 min
  • English

Episodes 24

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  • Today · 59 min

    BIG ORANGE SUNDAY 10-04-26

    On this edition of Big Orange Sunday, former Tennessee Coach breaks down the Volunteers' hard-fought 24–14 victory over Auburn, highlighting how the team channeled General Robert Neyland’s classic game maxims—playing lights-out defense, dominating the kicking game, and minimizing costly errors. Matthews analyzes head coach Josh Heupel’s pivotal decision late in the second quarter to replace a shaken and tentative Faizon Brandon with backup quarterback George MacIntyre, who provided needed poise and stability after Brandon’s interception led to Auburn’s lone first-half touchdown. Offensively, Tennessee leaned into a bruising ground attack led by running back DeSean Bishop’s workhorse performance (34 carries, 225 yards, 3 touchdowns), while the coaching staff successfully overhauled pass protection by placing tight ends on the line of scrimmage to aid the tackles. Defensively and on special teams, the Vols staged a clinic: punter Jackson Ross repeatedly pinned Auburn deep inside their own territory (averaging 44.2 net yards with five kicks inside the 20), while a swarming defense led by Jeremiah Telander, Arion Carter, and Omari Campbell racked up three takeaways, four three-and-outs, and four sacks. Matthews wraps up the show by evaluating the SEC landscape, reminding listeners that surviving the grueling conference schedule requires unyielding physicality on both sides of the ball. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • Today · 9 min

    Bishop's Rushing Masterclass and SEC Shakeups

    Coach breaks down a gritty Tennessee victory that hinged on physical play and a dominant rushing attack. Despite a sluggish first half where the passing game struggled—with quarterback McIntyre throwing for only 86 yards and taking three sacks overall alongside one interception—the offense found its rhythm by leaning on running back DeSean Bishop, who racked up 225 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries. The host praises the tight ends' blocking, punter Jackson Ross's strategic kicks, and the coaching staff's commitment to ball protection, noting that leaning on the run game was a necessary adjustment. The broadcast concludes with a look around the conference, highlighting key matchups like Arkansas's loss to Texas A&M and Vanderbilt's defeat at Georgia, reminding fans that navigating an unpredictable SEC schedule requires a relentless, physical approach every single week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • Today · 14 min

    Tennessee's Masterclass in Field Position and Defense

    The University of Tennessee's recent performance against Auburn serves as a defensive and special teams clinic, primarily won through dominant field position control. Tennessee's exceptional kicking game repeatedly pinned Auburn deep, forcing them to start five of their offensive drives inside their own 11-yard line. Complemented by a stout defense that forced three takeaways and seven punts in the second half, the Volunteers successfully limited Auburn to just 14 points. Standout defensive efforts from players like Amari Campbell and Arion Carter, combined with effective halftime adjustments to the running game and younger players seamlessly stepping up for injured starters like Moss, ultimately secured the victory See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • Today · 26 min

    Tennessee Embraces Neyland Maxims and a Crucial QB Switch to Defeat Auburn

    Coach breaks down Tennessee's hard-hitting 24-14 victory over Auburn, highlighting how the team succeeded by adhering to Coach Robert Neyland's classic game maxims. The Volunteers secured the win through a dominant defensive performance and an exceptional kicking game that repeatedly pinned Auburn inside their own 10-yard line. Offensively, the coaching staff made vital adjustments, including using a tight end to provide extra blocking help for the right tackle and executing a pivotal quarterback change late in the first half. After the starting redshirt freshman struggled and threw a costly interception, backup Phaseon Brandon stepped in confidently, perfectly demonstrating the team's philosophy to always be ready when your number is called. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 27 · 50 min

    BIG ORANGE SUNDAY 09-27-26

    In this episode of Big Orange Sunday, Coach recaps Tennessee’s hard-fought loss to top-ranked Texas, breaking down an old-school rock fight defined by elite defense, offensive growing pains, and critical lessons moving forward. Mathews details the statistical reality of a contest featuring 16 combined sacks, 14 punts, and a 24% third-down conversion rate, while analyzing a troubling trend that has seen the Volunteers drop four of their last five home conference games at Neyland Stadium. Focusing on the offensive side of the ball, Mathews scrutinizes Tennessee’s struggles in pass protection against a fierce Longhorns front, where true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon absorbed 10 sacks and was hit 23 times across 73 offensive snaps. Mathews points to a personnel mismatch at right tackle—where starting guard Perry was forced outside due to the absence of transfer portal addition Orien Williams (#77)—and calls out head coach Josh Heupel, offensive coordinator Joey Halzle, and the offensive line staff for failing to provide adequate schematic help, chips, and protection slides. Despite the barrage of contact, an injury scare that briefly sent Brandon to the medical tent, and a run game held to just 2.9 yards per carry, Mathews lauds Brandon’s poise, toughness, and high upside, drawing comparisons to former Vol quarterback Tony Robinson while recommending Tennessee lean on the 40-second play clock and designed quarterback draws to settle the offense. Defensively, Mathews praises coordinator Jim Knowles and his unit for a masterclass outing, limiting Texas to just 55 plays, forcing seven punts, recording six sacks and 10 tackles for loss, and creating negative plays on 18% of the Longhorns' snaps. Key standouts highlighted include Arion Carter (11 tackles, TFL, fumble recovery, edge containment), Tyree Weathersby (2.5 sacks, 2.5 TFLs), Carson Gentle (five tackles), and Kaelen Lee (interception), alongside a complementary special teams sequence where a pinpoint pooch punt pinned Texas deep, forcing a three-and-out that Qua Moss converted into a punt-return touchdown. Evaluating the game through his four foundational coaching metrics—penalties, turnovers/takeaways, the kicking game, and field position—Mathews emphasizes that Tennessee cleanly won three of the four, proving the Vols "got beat" by execution rather than giving the game away with unforced mistakes. After running through scores around the SEC, Mathews turns attention to next week's home tilt against Auburn, previewing former UT coordinator Alex Golesh’s fast-paced offense and emphasizing the urgent need to expand secondary depth after relying on just 19 defensive and 16 offensive players against Texas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 27 · 10 min

    Film Breakdown and Positives from Tennessee’s Tough Matchup Against Texas

    Coach breaks down Tennessee's recent football game against Texas from his home film study, focusing on key takeaways and silver linings moving forward into conference play. He outlines his four essential winning metrics—penalties, turnovers/takeaways, the kicking game, and field position—noting that Tennessee held strong advantages in the first three. While acknowledging that Texas outplayed them over 60 minutes and earned the victory, he argues Tennessee was "beat" rather than having "lost" the game through self-destruction. Key topics include: Defensive highlights, including holding Texas to just 55 offensive snaps, forcing seven punts, recording six sacks, and creating negative plays on 18% of snaps. Individual standout performances and observations on players like Boo Carter, Arion Carter, Christian Harrison/defensive backs, and Arch Manning's passing execution. Lessons learned for future games, such as potentially using two punt returners, incorporating the quarterback draw, and continuing to develop young depth on the defensive line ahead of their upcoming matchup against Auburn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 27 · 13 min

    Positives from Tennessee’s Narrow Loss: Elite Defense, Special Teams Sparks, and Areas for Offensive Growth

    Coach shifts focus from the negative aspects of Tennessee's 20–17 loss to Texas to highlight the team's strong positive takeaways and evaluate what lies ahead. Outstanding Defensive Play: The speaker praises Tennessee’s defensive showing as one of the best in recent years, highlighting standout performances from Arion Carter, Tyree Weathersby, the entire linebacker corps, and the defensive line. The defensive scheme and play-calling by Jim Knowles were also credited with keeping the Volunteers competitive. Special Teams and Field Position: Emphasis is placed on pivotal complementary football moments, including a perfectly executed pooch punt, defensive stop, and Qua Moss's impactful punt returns and overall play, alongside zero turnovers on the day. Offensive Concerns and Quarterback Development: The host identifies key offensive hurdles, noting a "trifecta" of passing game issues—pass protection, receiver separation, and pocket awareness/timing for the young quarterback. The coaching staff is urged to adjust protection schemes and support the quarterback against pressure as conference play ramps up. Personnel and Looking Forward: A brief look at low offensive and defensive player rotation counts is followed by a preview of the upcoming game against Auburn and former offensive coordinator Coach Golesh's system. The segment concludes with a local sponsor feature for Mid-Tenn Ford. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 27 · 17 min

    Tennessee Falls to Texas in Defensive Battle as Offensive Line and Quarterback Growing Pains Are Put on Display

    Coach breaks down the Tennessee Volunteers' loss to top-ranked Texas in a defensive slugfest at Neyland Stadium. Key topics covered include: The Defensive Battle: A look at the dominant defensive play on both sides, which featured a combined 16 sacks, 14 punts, and only 30 total offensive points scored. Offensive Struggles & Pass Protection: Criticism of the offensive performance, specifically the lack of coaching assistance for both an inexperienced quarterback and an out-of-position right tackle facing relentless pressure. Quarterback Evaluation: An assessment of young quarterback Faizon Brandon, noting that despite absorbing 23 hits and 10 sacks, he showed toughness, composure, and immense upside reminiscent of former Vol Tony Robinson. Home Conference Trend: Concern over a disturbing trend in Knoxville, pointing out that Tennessee has now dropped four of its last five home conference matchups. SEC Landscape & Moving Forward: A quick glance around the conference scoreboard and upcoming opponents, emphasizing that Tennessee must lean into its stout defense, establish the running game, and simplify the offense as they prepare to host Auburn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 20 · 10 min

    Coach Breaks Down Tennessee’s Defensive Transformation and Roster Depth Ahead of Massive Texas Clash

    Coach previews Tennessee’s upcoming high-stakes matchup against the University of Texas at Neyland Stadium, highlighting the historic nature of the regular-season meeting and soaring ticket demand. Mathews emphasizes how head coach Josh Heupel’s key offseason decisions—particularly investing in strength and conditioning and hiring defensive coordinator Jim Knowles along with his veteran staff and players—have dramatically improved the team's fundamentals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 20 · 16 min

    Coach Film Breakdown: Defensive Rotation Locks In, Freshmen Emerge, and Preparing for Texas

    Coach reviews game tape to assess Tennessee's depth chart and identity heading into conference play. Rather than focusing on the flashy skill positions, he breaks down the offensive line, tight ends, and interior defensive line. Despite heavy transfer portal additions limiting snaps for young players, three true freshmen are carving out real roles: interior defensive lineman Finch, wide receiver Keys, and tight end/blocker Mikele Willis. Matthews details the defensive front rotation, which is designed to keep the pass rush fresh for four quarters. He singles out Gilliam, Hobbs, West, Eason, and Campbell, along with versatile edge play from Teelander and Dailey. He also praises the defense's structural discipline and improved zone pass coverage. The linebackers' ability to read quarterback tendencies, a coaching emphasis under coordinator Jim Knowles, will be especially important against high-profile passers like Texas's Arch Manning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 20 · 24 min

    Vols Clean Up Mistakes in 42–9 Tune-Up Over Kennesaw State Ahead of First SEC Matchup with Texas

    Tennessee wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a workmanlike 42-9 win over Kennesaw State, setting up a demanding nine-game SEC stretch. The Vols cleaned up the sloppiness from the Georgia Tech game, cutting their penalties from 14 for 142 yards to just 3 for 20 yards and avoiding kicking-game mistakes. Transfer kicker Ranveer made two field goals. The defense set the tone coming out of halftime with back-to-back three-and-outs, and the resulting short fields turned into quick touchdowns. Boo Carter and the secondary showed poise and instincts at STAR/nickel, and Carter was aggressive as a returner. Peyton Lewis continued to improve at running back, and the offensive line and run game got a consistent push. Nico Iamaleava was steady, protecting the ball and taking hits without costly mistakes, and designed quarterback runs should stay a key part of the offense. With Ethan Davis injured, the young tight ends stepped up as blockers and receivers. Tennessee now turns to Texas, with both teams entering SEC play after similar tune-up games. Coaching connections (Jim Knowles, Josh Heupel, Joey Halzle and Seth Littrell) should give the Vols useful insight into the Longhorns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 13 · 58 min

    Big Orange Sunday 09-12-26 Inside Tennessee's Win: Offensive Evolution & Special Teams Chaos

    Coach breaks down the Vols' 45–24 road victory over Georgia Tech, highlighting zero offensive turnovers and a dominant 300-yard ground attack. He examines how Josh Heupel’s offense is quietly evolving away from spread-and-tempo toward condensed sets, while also praising Jim Knowles' aggressive defensive pressure packages. Mathews doesn't pull punches on special teams breakdowns either, warning that "mistakes like that can cost you ball games" as Tennessee prepares for Kennesaw State and the SEC slate ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 13 · 3 min

    Tennessee’s Path Forward: Building Depth, Finishing Strong

    Looking ahead to the next matchup against Kennesaw State, we break down why the focus remains strictly on Tennessee's internal growth and development. We examine key areas for improvement, the importance of building depth at wide receiver and off the edge, and why the team's ability to finish each half strong is a major sign of progress. Plus, a reminder on fixing the "coachable" mistakes—starting with keeping your hands to yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 13 · 8 min

    Vols Film Room: Defensive Adjustments & What Makes No. 11 Click

    We dive into the game notebook to break down Tennessee's physical performance, from key schematic adjustments against Georgia Tech's short-passing game to offensive execution on critical downs. The host examines Josh Heupel's tight offensive rotations, shares high praise for quarterback poise under pressure, and shuts down outside noise regarding the quarterback room. Plus, an around-the-league look at SEC matchups and notes on emerging depth on both sides of the ball. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 13 · 13 min

    Tennessee’s Hidden Yardage, In-Game Coaching, and a 12-Yard Anomaly

    Breaking down Tennessee's road performance, the conversation centers on the visible strides made from game one to game two, key defensive adjustments under coordinator Jim Knowles, and the importance of situational coaching over raw statistics. A deep dive into the drive charts highlights a bizarre 11-play sequence that burned over seven minutes off the clock for just 12 yards, alongside an offense that finished every single possession with a kick. Plus, observations on tackling in the secondary, edge rush depth, and cleaning up costly penalties before SEC play heats up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 13 · 25 min

    Vols Grind Out a Win Over Tech: Offensive Shifts & Special Teams Woes

    Coach breaks down Tennessee’s physical 45–24 road victory against Georgia Tech, highlighting the four defensive takeaways and a 300-yard ground game. He dives into how Josh Heupel’s offense is noticeably evolving toward two-tight-end sets, condensed formations, and clock control, while also voicing frustration over costly breakdowns in the kicking game. Plus, a look at what still needs fixing as the Vols prepare for Kennesaw State and the SEC slate ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 6 · 59 min

    Big Orange Sunday 09-06-26: Brandon Shines in Opener as Vols Roll Furman 56–9

    Broadcasting live from the Anderson Athletic Center studio, Coach recaps Tennessee’s dominant 56–9 season-opening win over the Furman Paladins. The episode begins with praise for Furman’s disciplined, turnover-free effort before breaking down the standout performance of freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon. Brandon completed 13 of 17 passes for 226 yards and three scores while rushing for two more touchdowns, with backups George MacIntyre and Ryan Staub also getting solid fourth-quarter work. On defense, the Vols clamped down on passing first downs and recorded six sacks, highlighted by defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam’s disruptive play inside. The show wraps up with special teams analysis and an overview of other Week 1 action around the SEC See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 6 · 9 min

    Georgia Tech Breakdown and SEC Rivalry Roundup

    Coach takes a look around the college football landscape to scout upcoming opponents and review rival scores. Georgia Tech Scouting Report: Breaks down Georgia Tech’s performance in their game against Colorado, noting sloppy play, penalties, and a reliance on RPOs and spread formations to open up the inside run game. Matchup Key Takeaways: Identifies specific weaknesses to exploit in the upcoming road game, including forcing quarterback Mendoza to play from the pocket and attacking their left tackle in pass-rush situations. SEC Scoreboard Round-Up: Recaps notable Week 1 results across the conference, including blowout wins by Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, and LSU. Tennessee Offensive Personnel: Highlights young talent stepping into broader roles, particularly sophomore wideouts Jackson and Smith, alongside freshman slot receiver King and tight end Ethan Davis. Guest Insights: Features a conversation with Kevin Sparks from Kevin Sparks Signature Pools on early season reactions, labor day promotions, and optimism around the Vol backfield and quarterback development. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 6 · 17 min

    Post-Game Reflection & Roster Experience Analysis

    Coach breaks down his "Sunday Thoughts" after re-watching the game film, offering key insights into the team's depth, position developments, and strategic takeaways. Veterans and Experience: Evaluates the roster as one of the most experienced in recent years, largely due to the influx of transfer portal talent across key positions, including defensive backs, linebackers, and offensive linemen. Offensive Line Depth: Highlights the offensive line as the deepest and most experienced unit under Coach Heupel, noting strong performances from Sanders, Perry, Pendleton, and others. Quarterback Progression: Discusses game plan execution and decision-making for the quarterbacks, emphasizing the importance of live game reps for Faizon Brandon's growth as a leader. Defensive Front and Linebackers: Reviews the usage of edge rushers and linebacker rotation, noting Jeremiah Telander taking significant snaps at edge in Arion Carter’s absence. Offensive Schemes: Notes the heavy usage of two-tight end sets to balance protection and the running game, with running backs Bishop and Gordon leading the backfield alongside Brandon's rushing contributions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Showing 1–20 of 24 episodes