It was not easy, but George MacIntyre showed enough resiliency during his first career start to earn another one. Tennessee had not won at Arkansas in 25 years. While the Razorbacks did give Josh Heupel's team a run for its money, the poise MacIntyre played with amid adversity was the difference. With the Third Saturday in October up next, MacIntyre has to be the one to start over Faizon Brandon.
On the evening, MacIntyre completed 18-of-29 passes for 247 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He also put the football on the ground another time near halftime. While Heupel did not do the best job of setting MacIntyre up for success with his first-half play-calling, the game did slow down to some degree in the second half for the young quarterback. He played with more confidence.
Even though Tennessee will be up against it when hosting Alabama, MacIntyre gives the Vols their best chance at a win. Brandon may be more talented, but he would have lost the game that MacIntyre just won. We all saw how it snowballed against Brandon versus Texas, reaching a critical point in the Auburn victory. Tennessee is 5-1 on the season and will climb up in the polls, but this win was intense.
easy pitch + catch!
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 10, 2026
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George MacIntyre gives Tennessee the best chance to beat Alabama
As the game went along, it became apparent that the team who ran the ball the best down the stretch would win. While Heupel's offense struggled to get the ground game going in the first half, leave it up to DeSean Bishop and company to deliver the knockout punch to the Hogs. His big 59-yard scamper helped set up the game-winning touchdown near the two-minute mark. MacIntyre made plays, too.
To be honest, while MacIntyre did look inexperienced out there on the field, it also did not look like his first career start either. He did grow up a lot over the course of the game, even though his second interception would have proven costly versus a better SEC opponent. Simply put, MacIntyre cannot have a mental mistake like that one versus Alabama if the Volunteers want any shot of the upset bid.
In time, maybe Brandon will earn his opportunity to reclaim the starting job. However, there was nothing MacIntyre did in the win over Arkansas that fully merits a demotion just yet. Yes, he could play poorly versus Alabama at home next week. If Brandon is healthy enough to relieve him, then it could conceivably come to that. However, MacIntyre proved to his teammates that he can win games ugly.
Frankly, that is what it may take to improve to 6-1 on the season versus the Crimson Tide. Anything can happen within the course of a rivalry game of that magnitude. While Brandon may have the higher ceiling at quarterback for the Vols, for the time being, MacIntyre gives Tennessee the best chance to win. With Tennessee needing a signature victory on the season, expect for MacIntyre to get the start.
Heupel may once again try to keep this as close to the vest as possible, but we all know who it will be.
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