Heupel stays quiet on Tennessee's starting QB ahead of Alabama

Tennessee is heading into its biggest game of the season without a named starting quarterback. Josh Heupel declined Monday to say whether sophomore George MacIntyre or freshman Faizon Brandon will start against No. 6 Alabama on Saturday.

"We'll find out here through the week," Heupel said, according to Vols Wire. He added that the Vols would go back to practice Tuesday and work toward the weekend from there.

The question exists because of last week's change. Brandon started each of Tennessee's first five games. MacIntyre then made his first career start in Week 6 at Arkansas. Vols Wire reported that he completed 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Tennessee won in Fayetteville, and running back DeSean Bishop scored the go-ahead touchdown. The win also kept the Vols' record at 5-1.

Brandon's numbers through five starts offer a different profile. He completed 61 of 101 passes for 697 yards and seven touchdowns. He also gave the offense a running threat, with 130 rushing yards and three scores on 53 carries. MacIntyre's one start produced more yards through the air in a single game, along with two turnovers. Brandon has been the more efficient passer and the bigger threat with his legs. Heupel's offense depends on tempo and timing, and the choice will shape how Tennessee tries to keep pace with Alabama.

The stakes are clear. No. 6 Alabama (5-1) visits No. 14 Tennessee (5-1) at 3:30 p.m. EDT Saturday on ABC, and both teams want to stay in the race near the top of the SEC. A home win over the Crimson Tide would be the best result of the season for the Vols. A loss would leave them with two defeats at the midpoint and a quarterback question that is still open.

The market thinks this is Alabama's game for now. The Crimson Tide are favored at -317 on Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, and the best sportsbook number on Alabama is -325 at BetMGM. The spread has Alabama favored by 9.5 points, with the total at 53.5. That is a wide margin for a game between two ranked teams with matching records, and it suggests the uncertainty at quarterback is already part of the number. Full prices are on the Alabama at Tennessee odds page.

Heupel may not say anything more before kickoff. With practice starting Tuesday, the Vols' decision will probably come down to what the staff sees from both quarterbacks this week. Neither one has had to beat an opponent of Alabama's quality as the full-time starter yet.