While Josh Heupel may be done talking about the Tennessee quarterback battle, for now, that doesn't mean it won't be a major topic of conversation for the rest of the week. Come Saturday, the Vols are heading to Arkansas for an SEC battle, currently listed as a 13.5-point favorite per the FanDuel sportsbook.
On one hand, you'd think that with Tennessee being such big favorites, it would make Heupel's choice easy, as UT should cruise to a win regardless. However, things aren't that cut and dry. You've got to remember that Tennessee will host Alabama on Oct. 17, and in order for an upset to get posted, the offense is going to have to play close to perfect.
With that in mind, either Brandon or MacIntyre simply has to get into a groove against Arkansas and carry it over into the next week. So, who's going to end up getting the start for the Week 6 meeting?
Josh Heupel is done taking quarterback questions.
— Paige Dauer (@PaigeDauerFDP) October 5, 2026
"Okay, next question. I'm done with the quarterbacks." pic.twitter.com/CZUdVOiNPe
Josh Heupel snapping at a reporter hints that he's having a tough time with this QB decision
As you can see from the video above, Heupel isn't loving all the attention that the QB controversy is drawing in Knoxville, but can he blame us all for wanting to know what's on his mind? Not a chance. Regardless of who starts, the Razorbacks will want to rattle either of the two young quarterbacks, but the hope is they'll show maturity and fend off the home crowd.
That's, of course, easier said than done, but come on, Arkansas has looked downright terrible this season, which is why the Vols are favored by two scores despite being the road team. Just like in the win against Auburn, too, Tennessee will need to rely on DeSean Bishop to be a beast.
That will help either G-Mac or Faizon immensely, but the aerial attack is going to have to step up big time over the next two weeks as well. Against the Tigers, MacIntyre was 8-of-10 for 86 yards, while Brandon was 3-of-8 for zero yards... no, those zero yards are not a typo.
The passing game taking a bit of a backseat will work against the Razorbacks, but someone is going to have to let the ball rip against the Crimson Tide. That's why practice this week and Saturday's game against Arkansas are so darn important for Heupel and the rest of his staff.
A game of musical QB chairs can't keep going on. Someone needs to emerge as the true QB1 and hang on to that job for the sake of continuity. It'd be one thing if Tennessee was 2-3 on the year and with no hopes of the Playoff, but at 4-1, and likely 5-1 coming soon, this group has the tools to make it a season to remember.
Heupel won't be able to live with having quarterback drama holding this group back, which is why we need to see either Brandon or MacIntyre light it up against the Hogs to set the tone for the rest of the fall.
Game odds adjust periodically and are subject to change.
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