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Tennessee Volunteers Have To Stick With Faizon Brandon At QB Despite Benching

Tennessee’s quarterback competition took an unexpected turn after true freshman Faizon Brandon struggled in his first collegiate start against Auburn, completing just 3 of 8 passes for zero yards and throwing an interception. Despite his early promise in camp, Brandon’s rushed decision-making and poor reads left the Volunteers vulnerable, though he avoided further turnovers.

Head coach Josh Heupel responded by inserting redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, who stabilized the offense with 8-of-10 passing and 86 yards to secure the win—a testament to Tennessee’s run-heavy approach, where quarterback play isn’t always the deciding factor.

With Arkansas looming as the next opponent, Heupel has opted to return Brandon to the lineup, citing his dual-threat ability and the Razorbacks’ defensive vulnerabilities. The benching may have allowed Brandon to reset, though MacIntyre’s steady performance underscores Tennessee’s flexibility.

The Volunteers’ focus remains on defense and the ground game, but Brandon’s return signals confidence in his long-term potential as their primary playmaker.

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