This probably isn't going to work on Kalen DeBoer, but screw it, Josh Heupel isn't going to give in at all when it comes to naming a starting quarterback. After taking down Arkansas in Week 6, the hope/expectation was that George MacIntyre would immediately get the nod to take on the Crimson Tide.
Not so fast.
While meeting with the media to kickstart the anticipation for the Third Saturday in October, Heupel once again refused to name his QB1 to face Bama. Per Heupel, we've still got to see what G-Mac and Faizon Brandon can do in practice leading up to this heavyweight battle. Is this a mistake on his part, though?
Josh Heupel asked who will Tennessee start at QB against Alabama?
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) October 12, 2026
“We will find out here throughout the week.” pic.twitter.com/jfcBuZvcvm
It's unknown if Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre will start in Week 7 against Alabama
"We'll find out here through the week," Heupel said when asked who his starting quarterback is going to be for Saturday at Neyland Stadium. "We get on the grass tomorrow (Tuesday), and we'll work towards Saturday."
While some people may be a bit annoyed with Heupel dragging this out, it has become pretty clear that he's not actually waiting until the last second to communicate to the locker room who's going to run the offense. Take this past week, for example.
Despite reports arriving that MacIntyre was going to start, Heupel and Tennessee didn't confirm the plan until shortly before the contest with the Razorbacks got started. However, Heupel said that MacIntyre knew he was getting the nod earlier in the week. Brandon, still banged up, also knew that he wasn't going to be called upon.
It's probably safe to assume that a final decision behind closed doors will be made soon, meaning the offense will have more than enough time to get on the same page. On the outside, everyone will be left guessing who's going to get the start, but that's nothing for Heupel and his staff to worry about right now.
Instead, chemistry will keep getting built throughout practice regardless of who gets their number called. As I've said many times, this should be a no-brainer for Heupel: MacIntyre needs to be the one to face the Tide.
Against Arkansas, he was far from perfect, throwing for 247 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, but he was firing the ball with confidence and not second-guessing himself. The opposite had been the case for Brandon in the loss to Texas and the close win against Auburn, when the 5-star freshman was benched in the second half of that showdown with the Tigers.
If Brandon is still hurt and not quite mentally ready to take on Alabama, then there's no reason to rush him back onto the field, especially with MacIntyre ready to rock if the Vols need him to fire in once again. Tennessee is a big home underdog vs. Bama, but anything can happen in this rivalry game. If MacIntyre does his job, assuming he starts, and the defense plays strong, then an upset is certainly not out of the question.
It will probably be up in the air until Saturday in Knoxville as to who Heupel is going to give the ball to, but you know what, it doesn't matter. If he wants to keep going with these QB mind games to throw off the opposition, let the man do his thing.
Add us as a preferred source on Google