Tennessee still hasn’t locked in its starting quarterback for Saturday’s matchup with Alabama, but the latest sign points toward George MacIntyre getting the nod.
Josh Heupel and the Vols are still sorting through the situation, with MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon both in the mix. Brandon opened the year as Tennessee’s original starter, while MacIntyre got the call at Arkansas and then handled the Auburn game after Brandon’s shoulder issue limited him.
That shoulder remains part of the equation. Brandon was hurt against Texas, stayed in the game and finished it, then played nearly a half against Auburn before being pulled. The next week, he barely practiced and was only available as an emergency option at Arkansas.
Now, Brandon is moving closer to full participation. He was reportedly on the practice field to open the week, and ESPN’s Pete Thamel said he is ramping up his reps. Even so, Thamel made it clear that MacIntyre is the current favorite to start.
“As the week goes on here, both Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre have gotten reps for Tennessee,” Thamel said. “There has been no decision definitively made on who is going to start the game against Alabama.
As of right now, as we sit here on Tuesday afternoon, MacIntyre is the presumptive favorite to get the start. Obviously, Brandon is still dealing with that shoulder injury from the Texas game.
He was extremely limited in practice last week. He’s ramped up his reps this week.
We will see if and how much he’ll be able to go come Saturday. For now, MacIntyre appears to be in the driver’s seat for his second career start, and this one would be against the Tide.”
MacIntyre’s most recent work came in Tennessee’s road win at Arkansas, where he completed 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also took two sacks and lost a fumble.
The Vols will enter Saturday as home underdogs. FanDuel listed Alabama as an 8.5-point favorite Tuesday afternoon, with the Tide at -365 on the money line and Tennessee at +285.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with Sean McDonough on play-by-play, Greg McElroy providing analysis and Katie George reporting from the sideline.
In Other News...
Memphis Clears Up What Penny Hardaways Roster Promise Really Means
Penny Hardaways commitment to Memphis basketball has drawn attention because it comes at a moment when the program is trying to rebuild after a difficult season and keep pace in a roster-building era that is increasingly driven by fundraising. Athletic director Ed Scott recently clarified the arrangement, explaining that Hardaway has not directly paid players but has agreed to help bridge any gap if the program falls short of its roster budget goals.
The Tigers are currently funding a $9 million roster budget, and Hardaways pledge would cover as much as $2.6 million if the fundraising does not reach the target by the end of the fiscal year. It is a notable show of support from the head coach, and it underscores how much of Memphis immediate future depends on meeting its financial goals before the offseason fully takes shape. [Read more 🡒]
Memphis Gets A Rare National Showcase Before A Big Thursday Night
Memphis is getting an unusual bit of national attention on Thursday, with ESPNs SportsCenter on Campus set to go live from Tiger Lane before the Tigers meet East Carolina at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The half-hour broadcast window comes in the buildup to a 6:30 p.m. kickoff, and the game itself will be shown nationally on ESPN2, giving the program a stage it does not often get.
The setup around the stadium is designed to match the moment, with tailgating, a kids zone and a community-minded partnership with the DeAngelo Williams Foundation tied to Breast Cancer Awareness and Health Care Appreciation. For Memphis, it is the kind of rare weekday showcase that can turn an ordinary Thursday into something bigger, even before the first snap is taken. [Read more 🡒]