No. 15 Tennessee may still be sorting out its quarterback situation, but Arkansas defensive coordinator Ron Roberts isn’t expecting the Vols to show up in Fayetteville with a different identity.
That’s the challenge for the Razorbacks as Tennessee visits Razorback Stadium on Oct. 10: whether Faizon Brandon or Georgia MacIntyre gets the start, Josh Heupel’s offense is still going to look like Josh Heupel’s offense.
Brandon was banged up and benched in Tennessee’s 24-14 win over Auburn on Saturday, and Heupel did not say whether Brandon or MacIntyre would be the starter against Arkansas. Tennessee trailed Auburn 7-3 at halftime in Neyland Stadium before MacIntyre took over and helped spark the comeback that kept the Volunteers’ College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Roberts said both quarterbacks can handle the passing game, but Brandon brings a little more to the table when plays break down.
"MacIntyre and [Brandon], they both throw it really well," Roberts said. "But obviously [Brandon is] a little better athlete and has the ability to create and get out of the pocket and escape.
When things break down and you don’t have a play, he can make a play. So that’s probably the difference between the two.
They’re both really capable throwers and can do that stuff really well. But yeah, he does bring that stuff to the table."
Brandon has thrown for seven touchdowns and one interception this season, though that lone pick came at a costly moment against Auburn. He has completed 60.4 percent of his passes, going 61 of 101, and with his health not at 100 percent, Tennessee had a reason to turn to MacIntyre.
MacIntyre made the most of his opportunity against Auburn, finishing 8 of 10 for 86 yards in the win. That performance could be enough to earn him the start against Arkansas.
Still, Roberts said the quarterback choice won’t dramatically change what Tennessee does on offense.
"You have scheme offenses, and you have guys that are gimmick, roll out, whatever," Roberts said. "They do things that you've had problems with.
They are a system-oriented offense, so they're going to come out there and they're going to run their stuff. ‘This is what we do.
If they're in 11, ‘This is what we do. If we're in 12,’ you know.
Obviously, yeah, the one kid {Brandon] has gives a little more dimension."
Brandon has also rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns in Tennessee’s first five games.
Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m. Saturday, with the game airing on the SEC Network and the Razorback Sports Network.
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