KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After completing a 10-win regular season with a 36-23 win over Vanderbilt, Tennessee football comes in at No. 7 in the penultimate College Football Playoff Committee Rankings released on Tuesday night.
The Volunteers (10-2, 6-2 SEC) secured a second-place tie in the 16-team SEC standings after being picked seventh at SEC Media Day. Tennessee owns a win over current No. 11 Alabama, and both of the Vols’ losses came on the road at night in games decided in the fourth quarter.
It’s the 17th consecutive time that Tennessee has appeared in the College Football Playoff rankings dating back to 2022.
The Vols now officially await their first College Football Playoff berth on Sunday. The CFP selection show airs at noon ET on ESPN. First-round on-campus games are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 20 (one game) and Saturday, Dec. 21 (three games), with sites and game times to be determined on Sunday. The Friday game time is 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. The Saturday game times are noon on TNT, 4 p.m. on TNT and 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN.
College Football Playoff Rankings (Dec. 3) 1. Oregon (12-0) 2. Texas (11-1) 3. Penn State (11-1) 4. Notre Dame (11-1) 5. Georgia (10-2) 6. Ohio State (10-2) 7. Tennessee (10-2) 8. SMU (11-1) 9. Indiana (11-1) 10. Boise State (11-1) 11. Alabama (9-3) 12. Miami (10-2) 13. Ole Miss (9-3) 14. South Carolina (9-3) 15. Arizona State (10-2) 16. Iowa State (10-2) 17. Clemson (9-3) 18. BYU (10-2) 19. Missouri (9-3) 20. UNLV (10-2) 21. Illinois (9-3) 22. Syracuse (9-3) 23. Colorado (9-3) 24. Army (10-1) 25. Memphis (10-2)
The trial for Larry McBee, the man accused of shooting and killing a 23-year-old Halls Rural King employee in 2022, continues.
McBee is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Tristan Smith.
Several witnesses spoke yesterday (Wednesday) at the trial, including a neighbor, a Rural King shopper and investigators.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office says McBee reportedly shot and killed Smith after he was accused of trying to steal from the store.
One witness says McBee came to her house following the shooting and admitted to it after she showed him a photo running in news stories after the shooting.
A shopper in the store says he saw McBee placing items into his bag.
Finally, the court also saw surveillance video from the shooting. It showed a man walking up to an employee, Smith, and running out of an emergency exit, with Smith following him outside.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT / WOKI) Knoxville’s annual WIVK Christmas parade is returning for its 51st year on Friday and will feature 114 displays, including eight high school marching bands and several local businesses.
The event, which is scheduled for Friday, December 6th, will close several downtown streets and on-street parking areas.
According to the city, Jackson Avenue between State and N. Central streets will be closed from 2-9 p.m. for the First Friday Block Party.
Additionally, Gay Street between Main Street and Magnolia Avenue will be closed for the parade beginning at 6:15 p.m.
WIVK Christmas Parade route(City of Knoxville)
Prior to the parade, however, there will be several roads and on-street parking spaces closing in the afternoon, including the following:
Closing at 4:30 p.m.:
Hill Avenue between Walnut Street & Howard Baker Jr. Avenue
Main Street between Walnut and Gay streets
Gay Street between Main Street & Hill Avenue
Closing at 5:30 p.m. and reopening at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8:
Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay Streets
Market Street between Clinch and Union Avenues
The parade begins at 6:45 p.m. from the Main Street intersection and will end by 8 p.m. at Magnolia Avenue.
It will feature parades and floats with Mayor Indya Kincannon, the Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville Fire Department, Public Service and the Office of Special Events. National Baseball Hall of Fame 2024 inductee and University of Tennessee and Central High School graduate Todd Helton will also serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal.
City officials said to arrive early with ample time to park and find a spot along Gay Street to watch the parade. Drivers are also asked to avoid Summit Hill Drive prior to and during the parade, as all four lanes of cross traffic will be stopped as the parade goes through the intersection.
Free parking is available after 6 p.m. at all city-owned garages.
The Sevierville Police Department and East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers with new information on a possible pedestrian crash.
Officers responded to I-40 East near the 407 exit on October, 30th where they found 61-year-old Craig Olcott.
Police say he had injuries that made them think he’d been hit by a car, he later died at the hospital.
Now, investigators are asking for your help. Police believe Olcott traveled from Jefferson County to Morristown, where he left his car for unknown reasons.
Sevierville police are asking anyone who saw Olcott on October 29th or 30th to contact authorities.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After guiding a Tennessee defense that ranked in the FBS top 10 in eight different categories, defensive coordinator Tim Banks was honored as a semifinalist for the Frank Broyles Award, which is presented annually to college football’s top assistant coach.
The Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced 15 semifinalists Tuesday out of 65 FBS nominees. Banks is the Volunteers’ second semifinalist in three seasons under head coach Josh Heupel, as former offensive coordinator and current USF head coach Alex Golesh was recognized in 2022. Banks is one of four SEC coaches on the semifinalist list, joining South Carolina’s Clayton White, Texas’ Pete Kwiatkowski and Vanderbilt’s Tim Beck.
Banks is in his fourth season with the program and his 18th as an FBS defensive coordinator. He has overseen and built a Tennessee unit that has become one of the best in the nation. His defense served as a catalyst for a UT team that won 10 regular season games for the second time in three years and will punch its first ticket to the College Football Playoff.
The Vols held 10 of their 12 opponents under 20 points, and the 12th and final regular season opponent went over 20 with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Tennessee held eight of its nine Power Four opponents under their season scoring average. Only Georgia scored more than it averaged, and it was only by +0.4 in its home stadium.
The Vols ranked in the FBS top 20 in 11 different categories, including fourth-down conversions (1st – 28.6), scoring defense (4th – 13.9), yards per play allowed (4th – 4.33), total defense (5th – 278.3), third-down conversions (5th – 29.5), tackles for loss (6th – 7.8). rushing defense (9th – 99.6), team passing efficiency defense (10th – 110.51), red zone defense (11th – 73.5), first downs allowed (16th – 201) and passing defense (16th – 178.7).
Banks’ defense ranked either first or second in the SEC in eight different categories: third-down conversions (2nd), fourth-down conversions (1st), yards per play allowed (2nd), rushing defense (2nd), scoring defense (2nd), total defense (2nd), team passing efficiency defense (2nd) and tackles for loss (2nd).
Meanwhile, Tennessee gave up only 18 offensive touchdowns all season, which ranked tied for fourth in the FBS and tied for second in the SEC. Banks oversaw a squad that allowed only 167 total points all season, which was tied for fifth in the FBS and tied for second in the SEC. That was the fewest issued by the Vols since 1999.
Tennessee’s defense proved to be one of the best in the country at limiting explosive plays. The Vols tied for second in the FBS and led the SEC in fewest 40-plus yard plays allowed from scrimmage, issuing only three. Tennessee was also one of only seven FBS teams to allow one play of 50 or more yards all season.
Banks and his staff built a strong culture, and it allowed depth to flourish with UT rotating as many as 11 defensive linemen during games. The Vols’ 93 total tackles for loss tied for sixth in the FBS and ranked second in the SEC, and a total of 31 different players registered a tackle for loss with 24 collecting multiple TFLs.
The Broyles Award was created in 1996 recognizing Coach Frank Broyles’ legacy of selecting and developing great assistants during his hall of fame career as head coach at Arkansas.
The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee and current college head coaches. Five finalists will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Dec. 3
NEW YORK – On Tuesday, the College Sports Communicators (CSC), in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization, announced redshirt senior wide receiver Bru McCoy as a semifinalist for the 2024 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Award.
He is one of 12 semifinalists named by CSC, which includes one other player from the SEC.
McCoy, who returned for a sixth season of college football, sustained a season-ending fracture-dislocation of his right ankle during a game against South Carolina on Sept. 30, 2023. Undeterred, he dove head-first into the recovery process and returned this season to be one of Tennessee’s most reliable pass catchers.
He currently leads the team with 35 receptions and ranks second in receiving yards with 432. He reached the 100 career catch milestone at Tennessee on Nov. 16, 2024, solidifying his place as a go-to target for all three quarterbacks he has played with during his career in the Orange & White.
McCoy’s value to the Tennessee football program extends far beyond the playing field on Saturdays. The veteran wideout is one of the unquestioned team leaders and is regularly looked to for guidance from his peers on and off the field. McCoy is a member of the team’s leadership council, a team captain and a leader in the community.
He teamed up with Julie Walker from the Peyton Walker Foundation to create Huddle for Hearts, an initiative that works to provide AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) to youth sports organizations – focusing primarily on underserved communities. His work with the “Huddle for Hearts” program creates awareness for sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.
2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Dec. 3
Two people are arrested in Maryville, one on drug charges with additional charges pending.
Blount County Sheriff’s Office Investigators went to a home on Doris Lane yesterday (Monday) morning and found methamphetamine, digital scales and more than $1,000 in cash which led to 30-year-old Randall Leinwar’s arrest.
More drugs, including marijuana and various pills were found on him at the Correction facility.
Taylor Attkinsson was arrested on the scene on an outstanding warrant out of Morgan County.
Help Make TWICE the Impact for Neighbors Facing Hunger
It’s our 14th annual Double Your Donation event. A special match from a few generous friends makes it possible for every gift made today to have TWICE the impact!
What? Double Your Donation is Second Harvest’s biggest annual fundraiser where every gift made is doubled — meaning you have a chance to make your impact go twice as far.
When? Open house on Thursday, December 5th, 2024 from 6 a.m.—7 p.m. EST or participate anytime online.
Where? Join in the festivities on the day of at 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville, TN 37801, or participate anywhere in the world online.
Who? You, your friends, the staff at Second Harvest, and our East Tennessee community and partners.
How? At Second Harvest, $1 typically provides 3 meals, but during DYD, $1 provides 6 meals.
We’re expecting another challenging season of significant need as our neighbors continue to navigate high living costs.
And with many of our East Tennessee neighbors still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Helene, your support is more important than ever. Every $1 you give today will help provide access to SIX nutritious meals for our neighbors.
To donate by mail, please send to: Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee 136 Harvest Lane Maryville, TN 37801
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee is registered as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law, tax identification number 58-1450139.
61-year-old Randall Lee Rose was recently indicted by a Knox County Grand Jury for the murder of a woman who was reported missing in Knoxville in 2013.
Rose was indicted for first-degree murder in the death of Sharon Leinart, 58. Leinart was reported missing in March of 2013. At the time of the report, Leinart was homeless and had last been seen in January 2013 at Volunteer Ministries in the 500 block of N. Broadway. A family member allegedly spoke with Leinart in late January. At that time, she reported that she was staying at a Knoxville-area motel.
Leinart was not seen again and her body was never recovered.
Rose is currently serving a life sentence for a murder that happened in 2021 in Jackson, Tennessee. During that investigation, Rose volunteered information that he was involved in a murder in Knoxville.
In the course of the follow-up investigation that was led by the KPD Homicide Unit, detectives were able to connect Rose to the disappearance and death of Leinart.
Rose is scheduled to be arraigned on the first-degree murder charge December 3, 2024.
An investigation leads to three people being convicted after investigators say they misappropriated more than $100,000 from the Knox County Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office says Amanda McKay, who worked for Knox County Grants and Community Development, took almost $80,000 to have rent and utility payments sent to herself and her former husband and received over $9,000 which was not approved.
Jennifer Harper, who worked for the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (KCCAC), and her husband, James, reportedly misappropriated almost $13,000.
All three are facing multiple charges, including theft.
