Why George MacIntyre is beginning QB for Tennessee as an alternative of Faizon Brandon
Why George MacIntyre is starting QB for Tennessee instead of Faizon Brandon initially appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tennessee has an enormous SEC matchup this week in opposition to Alabama, however the Volunteers usually are not absolutely wholesome.
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Backup quarterback George MacIntyre is about to make his second straight begin for Tennessee rather than Faizon Brandon, who hasn’t completed a sport since September 26. Brandon is coping with a shoulder concern, which has impacted his manufacturing early in his first collegiate season.
MacIntyre has so far stuffed in properly for Brandon, however the Alabama protection represents one other problem degree that the quarterback has but to face. This is a key sport for Tennessee, which already has one loss on the 12 months however remains to be hoping to remain within the College Football Playoff combine.
Here’s why Tennessee is popping to George MacIntyre in opposition to the Crimson Tide.
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Why is George MacIntyre beginning for Tennessee?
MacIntyre is getting his second straight begin for an injured Faizon Brandon, who has a shoulder harm and was questionable for this sport. MacIntyre has performed in 5 video games up to now this season, however he performed a distinguished position in Tennessee’s final two wins over Auburn and Arkansas.
MacIntyre relieved Brandon in opposition to Auburn two weeks in the past, serving to lead the Volunteers to a win whereas the run sport carried the day. Then, MacIntyre received his first begin final week in opposition to Arkansas, throwing for 247 yards and a landing in a seven-point highway win.
Head coach Josh Heupel was very complimentary of MacIntyre when he mentioned why he’ll get the beginning in opposition to Alabama.
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“I believed he was decisive with the soccer,” Heupel said. “He was going to the appropriate spot. Made some performs. Did some issues inside the pocket that had been actually constructive. You know the third down, makes a man miss, retains his eyes down the soccer discipline.”
MacIntyre did throw two interceptions final week, however Heupel conceded that the whole offense wanted to be higher at defending the soccer.
After the sport, Heupel made it clear that MacIntyre was beginning solely as a result of Brandon isn’t wholesome.
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Is Faizon Brandon injured?
Brandon is battling a shoulder harm that he is been coping with for the reason that begin of SEC play, when he suffered the harm in opposition to Texas.
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Brandon tried to play by means of the harm the next week in opposition to Auburn, however MacIntyre completed the sport because the Volunteers beat Auburn. Then, MacIntyre received the beginning in Tennessee’s final week in opposition to Arkansas, as Brandon missed the whole sport.
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Faizon Brandon’s true freshman struggles
In his first collegiate season, Faizon Brandon has dealt together with his fair proportion of rising pains because the Tennessee starter. Brandon has thrown for over 200 yards in only one sport in 2026, which got here in his first sport vs. Furman.
Brandon actually received a impolite awakening to SEC soccer together with his first convention sport coming in opposition to Texas. Brandon received injured that sport however performed by means of it to throw for simply 145 yards. He hasn’t been in a position to play a full sport since.
