The Third Saturday in October is almost here, and Alabama is going to be ticked off when it makes its way to Neyland Stadium this weekend to take on Tennessee. Bama suffered a heartbreaker against Georgia, while a Faizon Brandon-less Vols squad took down Arkansas on the road. Naturally, the question begs: will Brandon or George MacIntyre get the start?
While speaking to the media in Arkansas, Josh Heupel refused to tip his hand on his QB plans moving forward. However, with Tennessee opening as 6.5-point underdogs to take on the Crimson Tide, it's never been clearer that Heupel needs to rock with G-Mac. He did more than enough to prove to the staff that he deserves another start, this time with 100,000 people losing their minds in the stands in Knoxville.
George MacIntyre has earned the right to start for Tennessee against Alabama in Week 7 at Neyland
In the rollercoaster win vs. the Hogs, MacIntyre wasn't even close to perfect; no one will disagree with that. He completed 18-of-29 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown, but he also threw two interceptions. G-Mac most definitely had some throws that he'd love to have back right about now.
However, he did exactly what Heupel had been begging Brandon to do in recent weeks, which was to just let the ball rip. He took some shots, and while some of them backfired, he was putting his receivers in a position to come down with the pigskin. More of that is going to be needed if the Vols want to upset No. 6 Alabama at home.
DeSean Bishop says George MacIntyre's composure stood out in his first career start against Arkansas.
— Paige Dauer (@PaigeDauerFDP) October 11, 2026
“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.” pic.twitter.com/Qt8SiCJN0h
With the Vols being underdogs like this, it's safe to say that Tennessee is going to have to play close to perfect to take down Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide. Had the Vols played even average when battling then No. 1 Texas not that long ago, a win would have been posted. Whoever starts will need to make sure the offense is humming while taking on Bama.
Again, the Tide are going to be ticked off, with Keelon Russell wanting to remind everyone why he was in the Heisman conversation not that long ago. MacIntyre, right now, gives Tennessee the best chance to make some magic happen on offense and go blow for blow once kickoff arrives. Brandon is clearly still a little banged up, too.
Add in the fact that he looked off vs. Texas and Auburn, and forcing him back to face a stout Bama defense has a recipe for disaster written all over it. Heupel is going to keep things close to the vest, but MacIntyre needs to be the one to lead the offense out onto the field for this dance.
He gives Tennessee the best chance to hand Bama its second loss in a row after Georgia took care of business against the Tide in Tuscaloosa in Week 6. Will Heupel end up going with MacIntyre? We sure hope so.
Odds change periodically and are subject to change.
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