Tennessee QB change: George MacIntyre to make first career start vs. Arkansas

Tennessee QB change: George MacIntyre to make first career start vs. Arkansas originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Tennessee is making a change at the most important position on the field.

George MacIntyre is expected to make his first career start Saturday when No. 15 Tennessee travels to Arkansas, according to multiple reports. MacIntyre will replace Faizon Brandon, who started the Volunteers’ first five games but has been dealing with a shoulder injury suffered during Tennessee’s 20-17 loss to No. 1 Texas.

The decision comes after MacIntyre replaced Brandon during Saturday’s 24-14 victory over Auburn and provided an immediate lift.

Now he gets the offense from the beginning.

Why Tennessee is changing quarterbacks

Brandon’s first season as Tennessee’s starter began with plenty of promise. The five-star freshman protected the football and helped Tennessee navigate the opening portion of its schedule. He has completed 61 of 101 passes for 697 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception this season.

Sources: Tennessee will start George MacIntyre against Arkansas this weekend. It’ll be his first career start. Faizon Brandon is dealing with a shoulder injury from the Texas game.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 6, 2026

Things became much more difficult against SEC competition.

Brandon was sacked 10 times against Texas and injured his shoulder during the loss. He attempted to play through the issue against Auburn but never looked comfortable. Brandon completed three of eight passes for zero yards and an interception before Josh Heupel made the switch.

MacIntyre took advantage. The Tennessee native completed eight of 10 passes for 86 yards without a turnover, helping stabilize an offense that leaned heavily on DeSean Bishop.

Bishop finished with 220 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Heupel acknowledged Monday that Brandon’s injury affected his performance against Auburn.

That opened the door for MacIntyre.

MORE: Dante Moore injury update: Oregon QB takes major step before UCLA showdown

George MacIntyre gets difficult first assignment

MacIntyre won’t make his first start in the comfortable surroundings of Neyland Stadium. Tennessee travels to Fayetteville for its first SEC road game of the season. Arkansas is only 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play, but a road environment creates a different challenge for a quarterback making his first collegiate start.

MacIntyre entered Tennessee as a highly regarded four-star prospect out of Nashville and redshirted during his first season. He has completed 14 of 20 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown across four appearances this year.

Tennessee enters Saturday 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the SEC. That means the Volunteers still have plenty to play for.

MacIntyre doesn’t need to transform the offense overnight. If he can protect the football, stretch the field enough to prevent defenses from loading up against Bishop and give Tennessee consistent quarterback play, the Volunteers should have an opportunity to leave Fayetteville with another victory.

And if MacIntyre performs well?

Heupel could have a much more interesting quarterback decision waiting for him when Brandon gets healthy.

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