There was no doubt where Tennessee football fans would direct their curiosity after starting quarterback Faizon Brandon was benched for George MacIntyre.
That was easily the overwhelming storyline when the 14th-ranked Vols (4-1, 1-1 SEC) won 24-14 over Auburn (3-2, 1-2) on Oct. 3.
It’s now a renewed quarterback competition as Tennessee prepares to play Arkansas (2-3, 0-2) on Oct. 10 (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network) in Fayetteville.
So let’s dive into a quarterback-heavy version of the Vols mailbag to answer fans' questions.
Which quarterback will start against Arkansas?
Coach Josh Heupel will decide that. Neither quarterback as the starter would shock me because there are decent arguments for Brandon or MacIntyre. But I’d be at least mildly surprised if Brandon started.
Offensive coaches like Heupel
expect their quarterback to run their offense like they drew it up – the right pass protections, the right checks to run plays, the right progressions in the passing game.
Brandon has struggled in those areas in two SEC games. MacIntyre did them well enough against Auburn to suggest he can continue to do it.
Did Faizon Brandon practice after getting pounded by Texas?
My understanding is that Brandon practiced during the Auburn game week, but MacIntyre got a higher percentage of the reps than previous weeks. Brandon’s health likely had something to do with that.
UT anticipated Brandon starting and finishing the game. But there was an underlying vibe that MacIntyre could get a shot. After the game, Heupel said, “I talked to (MacIntyre) in pregame, and he’s got a great look in his eye. He was ready to go.”
Was Faizon Brandon affected by an injury or something else?
Brandon appeared healthy enough to play, and UT never listed him on the injury report. His vision, anticipation and feel within the offense seemed off. He bailed out of the pocket too soon on a few plays, probably still feeling the effects of that relentless Texas pass rush a week earlier. Obviously, those shortcomings aren't exclusively his fault.
Will the Vols be better if George MacIntyre starts?
Obviously, they were better with him against Auburn. Granted, the defense was prepared to play Brandon instead of MacIntyre. The offense doesn’t change drastically between quarterbacks, but Arkansas will prepare a plan to face either quarterback. That could be a factor.
Should we be discouraged by this quarterback situation?
No, I don’t think so. As long as you can stand the uncertainty that comes with these quarterback questions, there’s still room for optimism about the season.
Tennessee has a 4-1 record and plenty of winnable games ahead. Alabama and LSU are probably the toughest opponents on the schedule, but both of those games are at Neyland Stadium. And UT’s defense looks like it can meet every challenge.
Did Faizon Brandon play too soon?
It’s a reasonable question. I don’t want to overreact based on two lackluster SEC games with a makeshift offensive line. But UT may have made a mistake by not getting a veteran quarterback from the transfer portal.
Heupel backed himself into a corner, where he had to play a freshman or an inexperienced sophomore. A third option would’ve been nice for all involved. Brandon is suffering the growing pains for that lack of flexibility.
How will Josh Heupel handle the quarterbacks’ egos and confidence?
It’s an unenviable task. Brandon and MacIntyre are mature players who will handle this situation as well as they can, but both want to play.
Heupel must handle this situation week to week. First, he must decide who can win at Arkansas. And then he can worry about the Alabama game when that week arrives.
But in this portal era, Heupel must also worry about how his short-term decisions impact players’ decisions in the offseason. It’s hard to imagine that Brandon and MacIntyre would both return to UT in 2027, and Heupel acknowledged that reality before the season.
How do they encourage Faizon Brandon after being benched?
If Brandon starts against Arkansas, he should just try to play loose and learn from his mistakes. If MacIntyre starts against Arkansas, coaches will remind Brandon that he’ll likely get another chance at the job.
The best lesson for that comes from MacIntyre. He prepared to play, and his readiness paid off. Brandon should do the same if he is the backup in the Arkansas game.
Why does UT have such a hard time managing the clock?
It’s a longstanding problem. Heupel is so involved in the offensive play-calling that it might strain his attention from big picture tasks like clock management. That’s just one theory, but a logical one.
UT took too long to call its final timeout before halftime. Going away from the up-tempo offense in recent years has also skewed the timing in those situations.
Is Faizon Brandon another five-star disappointment?
I assume you’re referring to Nico Iamaleava, the former five-star quarterback who started at UT in 2024. He wasn’t an outright bust, but he obviously has not played to his elite ranking.
It’s too early to judge Brandon, and he was put in a difficult situation. But let’s not forget that Iamaleava got an entire season to acclimate to college football before making his first start in the Citrus Bowl. Brandon was tossed into the fire, facing an elite Texas defense in his fourth game. In retrospect, it was probably an unfair initiation.
Does UT lose too much in the run game with George MacIntyre?
Maybe not. MacIntyre doesn’t run the ball as effectively as Brandon, so UT could lose the quarterback rushing part of its offense.
But the Auburn game suggested that the rushing attack may benefit from MacIntyre. Heupel’s offense gives the quarterback latitude to dictate some of the run plays. For example, Hendon Hooker was praised by coaches for how he put the Vols in the right run plays.
Should Joey Halzle and Glen Elarbee be fired?
Should they? I don’t know. Heupel determines their value within his staff and in the collaborative effort on offense. Most of that impact is felt behind closed doors.
But offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee speak the same language as Heupel in the offense. And he values how they can take his direction and implement changes.
Also, keep in mind how far back their relationships go. Halzle has coached with Heupel at five different schools since 2009. Elarbee has coached with Heupel at three different schools since 2015.
By comparison, Heupel fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks in December. But their relationship started at UT in 2021.
Will George MacIntyre survive SEC hits if he starts?
It’s been widely discussed that MacIntyre is underweight for his 6-foot-6 slender frame. But he’s still gained 26 pounds since arriving at UT in January 2025 and is now listed at 208 pounds.
MacIntyre could suffer an injury just like any player. But the coaches aren’t concerned about his durability. He’s taken a few hits so far, and he’s been fine.
How do coaches get these young QBs ready for a hostile road game?
I’m curious to see what the gameday atmosphere is like at Arkansas. It’s not the same as 2024, when the Razorbacks upset No. 4 Tennessee. Heading into that game, Arkansas was 3-2 with a win over Auburn and two nail-biting losses to Top 25 teams.
Heading into this game, Arkansas has lost 43-10 to Utah, 45-17 to Georgia and 34-7 to Texas A&M. And the fan base is restless. I’m guessing it’ll be rowdy early in that game, but could get quieter if UT builds a lead.
What is the offensive identity moving forward?
Run the ball with DeSean Bishop and Daune Morris. Utilize the quick-hitting pass game. Set up play-action to hit downfield shots. MacIntyre can do all those things. They’re still hoping that Brandon can get comfortable in that approach.
No TD passes. Has that happened in the Josh Heupel era before?
Yes, it had happened seven previous times in Heupel’s tenure. UT didn’t have a TD pass against Georgia in 2022 and 2023. It didn’t have one against Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State in 2024. And it didn’t have one in the Music City Bowl against Illinois in 2025.
Why didn’t UT run the ball earlier in the game?
Down and distance determine some of that. But UT should have relied more on the run game early. The Vols rushed for 6 yards on their first three run plays. But those were their only three run plays on the first three drives.
It appeared Auburn coach Alex Golesh made the same mistake. Early on, both coaches tried to air it out rather than do the simple thing that had a better chance of success.
How much had that offensive line configuration practiced together?
UT rotates offensive linemen a lot in preseason practice. But it probably didn’t go with those five very often, especially because Nic Moore had been slotted as a backup center more often than a starting left guard.
Will any injured players return for the Arkansas game?
I expect nickelback/punt returner Qua Moss to return for the Arkansas game. But starting guard Sham Umarov is questionable until UT reports otherwise. I have no update on running back Javin Gordon, who has missed three consecutive games.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon for Tennessee vs Arkansas? Answering QB questions
