Derek Pursley

Talking Sports at Work

News EN ↓ 82 episodes

My stream-of-consciousness rambling about sports topics while driving. We discuss everything from the NFL and college football to college basketball and the NBA (with a tiny bit of baseball and other less important sports thrown in) from the only slightly biased perspective of a lifelong Tennessee fan, a side-hustle sports writer, and a permanently unbalanced recovering addict/alcoholic. Yeah, there’s a lot to unpack here, so join me for the ride and let’s hope we both make it back safely!

Author

Derek Pursley

Episodes

Football is (sort of) back! And so am I! 01.08.2025 40:25

We're back from our weird little hiatus and determined to make the show better than ever!

Durant to Memphis? Bane Trade Reverberates Through League; Finals Betting Tips 16.06.2025 41:43

Bane is going to Orlando and a boatload of picks are going to Memphis. Is this only the first step in the Grizzlies’ plan? Are the Magic ready to step up into the top tier in the East? Where will KD end up? Will Giannis be on the move? Also, you might should listen to my betting tips.

Big News! 13.06.2025 25:01

Check out today’s episode for big news about the future!

The Best and Worst Draft Classes of 2025 02.05.2025 1:12:53

The title says it all!

Full NFL Draft Analysis 28.04.2025 1:05:24

The final meaningful football event until opening night is behind us; let’s talk about it!

First Round Draft Recap 25.04.2025 57:20

The Titans (finally!) have their quarterback; the Jags get two in one; the Falcons won the first round (I believe) and fixed their biggest problem; the Giants got one great player a quarterback (maybe not the right one); and Shedeur is still waiting. We recap and analyze each pick of the first round.

Special Edition: NFL Mock Draft 2025 17.04.2025 1:05:00

Only one more week! What will your team do in the first round? Well, let me tell you.

Nico Is-a-leavin’ 16.04.2025 54:49

Tennessee draws a line in the sand, and the fallout could determine the future of college football.

Don’t Screw This Up, Titans 27.03.2025 48:00

Discussing Cam Ward, NFL conspiracies, the Sweet 16, betting tips, the Lakers and more!

March Madness, Vols Basketball, Titans Competence, Lakers Health, and More 17.03.2025 54:41

Discussing SEC fandom, Mach Madness beginning, the direction of Titans football, the Lakers getting healthy, and more!

Super Bowl Betting Guide… and Much More 07.02.2025 1:03:01

Super Bowl lix is upon us! Luka is a Laker! Dalton Knecht is not 🙁. Vols basketball is rolling again! The Titans have an opportunity to show competence. Welcome back, friends! 🍊🏀🏈🏟️⚔️

Titans Land #1 Pick; My Irrational Dissatisfaction With the Vols 06.01.2025 51:18

Back and better than ever! Well, at least as good. Probably.

NFL Week 15 Betting and Other Thoughts 13.12.2024 43:00

Analyzing the new Belichickian experiment at UNC and Week 15 matchups.

Warm-Weather Vols to the Frozen Tundra of Ohio; Should Brian Callahan Be Fired? 09.12.2024 1:00:24

Apparently it doesn’t get cold in the East Tennessee mountains. Recapping the weekend’s games, previewing the Vols/Buckeyes, and asking the question all Titans fans are thinking.

Conference Championships / NFL Week 14 Betting Tips 06.12.2024 25:58

The end is nigh… let’s make as much as we can before football is gone again!

The Penultimate CFP Rankings 04.12.2024 46:00

Three-loss Bama in? The Vols with the toughest path? Lane Kiffin crying? We discuss

The Best Saturday Ever! 25.11.2024 43:28

Poor Lane Kiffin 🤭

Is a Good Benching the Best Thing for Your Young QB? 21.11.2024 27:18

An interesting trend is developing among young NFL QBs; two AFC North rivals battle tonight; the Vols are (currently) on the outside of the CFP; and a former Vol scores 37 and receives Papa LeBron’s approval.

Levis Has Another Good Game and the Vols Aren’t There…Yet 18.11.2024 46:43

We dive into Tennessee’s outlook after the Georgia loss, the Titans’ scenario flipped on its head, and the six Super Bowl contenders in the AFC.

NFL Week 11 / CFB Week 12 Predictions and Betting Tips 15.11.2024 50:01

I think the title says it all ;)

Vol Nation Can Exhale… Nico Will Be OK 12.11.2024 59:44

Guess who’s back from London… no, it’s not the Queen. If you get that reference, I love you. We talk about the Vols, the Titans, the NFL’s quarterback evaluation problem, Da Bears, and whatever else was on my brain. **Update: Heupel has now said it on multiple occasions; I have no reason to believe otherwise. But obviously I don’t know more than anyone, and Vols fans love them some keyboard detect...

NFL Week 8 / CFB Week 9 Betting Tips and Picks; And a Farewell to D-Hop 25.10.2024 52:33

Fly away, little receiver… fly away and be free… fly to a better home and win yourself a championship. Anyway, picks and tips for this week, as well as additional moves the Titans should make.

The Vols Roll Over The Tide; The Titans Just Roll Over; And I’m Finally Going to Say I Told You So 21.10.2024 1:03:18

Alright, if y’all haven’t been heeding my betting tips, it’s on you… this is no longer just a hot streak, and I’m finally ready to say “I told you so.” Also…… Tennessee beats Florida and Alabama in consecutive weeks!

NFL Week 7 / CFB Week 8 Betting Tips and Picks 18.10.2024 41:13

The Third Saturday is finally upon us….

The Vols Get Past the Gators and It’s Tank Time in Tennessee 14.10.2024 55:11

Dissecting the good and the bad from the Vols/Gators and Titans/Colts. Spoiler: there’s more bad in one of them.