The Southern Line
Tennessee turns to George MacIntyre for his first career start at Arkansas
The 6-foot-6 sophomore replaces freshman Faizon Brandon, who has started every game this season, after going 8 of 10 in relief against Auburn.
Tennessee will start sophomore George MacIntyre at quarterback Saturday at Arkansas, ESPN reported late Tuesday, citing sources. It will be the first start of his career.
The change ends a two-day non-answer from Josh Heupel. On Monday the Tennessee coach said only that the staff would "go through the week" before naming a starter, after MacIntyre came off the bench in Saturday's 24-14 win over Auburn.
How the switch happened
Freshman Faizon Brandon had started all five games. He was pulled against Auburn after throwing his first interception of the season, and MacIntyre finished the game 8 of 10 with no turnovers. For the year MacIntyre has completed 14 of 20 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown in four appearances.
Brandon's numbers are respectable: 61 of 101 for 697 yards and seven touchdowns, plus 236 rushing yards and three more scores. But Heupel tied his dip to a shoulder injury Brandon picked up in the 20-17 loss to No. 1 Texas two weeks ago. Brandon stayed in that game and never appeared on the SEC availability report, yet Heupel said he was limited in practice the following week and "wasn't at his best" against Auburn.
MacIntyre was the top-ranked recruit in the state of Tennessee coming out of Franklin, a four-star prospect who saw action in two games last season. At 6-foot-6 he gives the Vols a different look in the pocket than the more mobile Brandon.
What it means for Saturday
No. 15 Tennessee (4-1) is a double-digit favorite at Arkansas, which is 2-3 under first-year coach Ryan Silverfield and coming off a 34-7 loss at Texas A&M. The Razorbacks have not found much on either side of the ball, and Silverfield said Monday the margin for error against the Vols is thin.
The bigger date is two weeks out, when Tennessee hosts No. 6 Alabama. A clean first start in Fayetteville would give the staff a clear answer heading into that week. A shaky one reopens the room.
Kickoff in Fayetteville is 4:15 p.m. ET on SEC Network. Current prices for the game are on the Tennessee team page and the weekly board.
