The quarterback call in Knoxville has to be the right one, because Tennessee is walking into the kind of game where one mistake can snowball fast.
Alabama comes to Neyland Stadium this weekend for the Third Saturday in October after a heartbreaking loss to Georgia, and Tennessee enters off a road win over Arkansas with Faizon Brandon still out of the picture. That leaves Josh Heupel with the same question everyone else is asking: does he stick with George MacIntyre, or turn back to Brandon?
Heupel didn’t give anything away while speaking to the media in Arkansas. But with Tennessee opening as 6.5-point underdogs against the Crimson Tide, the answer looks pretty clear. MacIntyre gave the Vols enough against Arkansas to earn another shot, this time with 100,000 people behind him in Knoxville.
He wasn’t spotless in the win over the Hogs. MacIntyre finished 18-of-29 for 247 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw two interceptions. There were definitely throws he’d want back.
Still, he did the one thing Heupel has wanted from Brandon in recent weeks: he let it fly. MacIntyre took chances, and even when some of them didn’t work, he kept the ball moving down the field and gave his receivers a chance to make plays.
If Tennessee is going to pull the upset against No. 6 Alabama, that kind of approach is going to matter.
DeSean Bishop pointed to MacIntyre’s poise after the Arkansas game.
“Some mistakes, but didn't faze him at all. He just kept playing and doing what he could to put us in the best position to come out on top.”
Tennessee is going to need nearly a perfect night to hang with Kalen DeBoer’s team. The Vols missed an opportunity against then-No.
1 Texas not long ago, and a better showing in that one could have changed a lot. Whoever gets the start Saturday has to keep the offense rolling from the opening drive.
Alabama is also coming in angry, with Keelon Russell looking to remind people why he was in the Heisman conversation not long ago. That only adds to the challenge for Tennessee, but MacIntyre gives the Vols their best chance to trade punches and keep pace.
Brandon also appears to still be dealing with something physically, and his performances against Texas and Auburn weren’t exactly encouraging. Asking him to jump back in against a stout Alabama defense would be asking for trouble.
Heupel may not say it outright yet, but MacIntyre should be the guy. He gives Tennessee its best chance to hand Alabama a second straight loss after Georgia beat the Tide in Tuscaloosa in Week 6.
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Former Vol Nico Iamaleava Faces Brutal Setback At UCLA
Nico Iamaleavas first season at UCLA had given the Bruins enough reason to believe they had their quarterback answer, with the former Tennessee starter settling in after his transfer and putting himself back on the radar for NFL evaluators. Through the fall, he had completed 62.1% of his passes for 982 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions, a solid enough body of work to keep the conversation around his future moving in the right direction.
Then came the knee injury in UCLAs win over Oregon, a setback that is expected to cost him the rest of the 2026 season and abruptly changes the outlook for both the Bruins and the former Vol. Iamaleava still has one year of eligibility left, but now his next steps will have to wait, leaving Tennessee fans and UCLA alike to wonder how much ground he can make up once he gets back on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Fans Will Notice What Alabama Just Lost After That Game
Alabama came out of its loss to Georgia with more than just a blemish in the standings. The Crimson Tide also appear to be down one of their wide receivers for at least the immediate future, with coach Kalen DeBoer saying Ryan Coleman-Williams is unlikely to be available against Tennessee after picking up multiple injuries in that game.
Coleman-Williams was hurt on both his leg and head against Georgia, and Alabama is now treating the situation week to week. If he is out, the Tide would have to sort through a committee approach at receiver, another wrinkle Tennessee will keep an eye on as the rivalry matchup gets closer. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Faces One Huge QB Decision Before Alabama Arrives
Josh Heupel still has not settled the biggest question hanging over Tennessees trip to Alabama, and the timing only adds to the intrigue. George MacIntyre gave the Volunteers a promising first look in his first career start against Arkansas, completing 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, and his composure and willingness to push the ball downfield stood out in a spot where Tennessee needed answers.
Faizon Brandon remains part of the conversation as he works back from injury, but he was less effective in recent games, leaving the Vols with a decision that carries obvious weight heading into one of the SECs toughest stages. For Tennessee, this is about more than simply naming a starter. It is about finding the quarterback who can best steady the offense when Alabama is waiting, and Heupel has not yet said which way he is leaning. [Read more 🡒]