Heupel Needs A Plan To Beat Alabama With Current Offense

Tennessee fans are right to worry about the offense before facing Alabama on October 17. The team barely survived Arkansas with a 24-17 win on October 10, and the passing game showed no elite spark. George MacIntyre replaced the injured Faizon Brandon but did not solve the scoring issues. Per Yahoo Sports, the board resets every game, but the upcoming matchup requires much more than just surviving.

The Vols face a massive test at Neyland Stadium. Alabama looks like a national title contender after a strong performance against Georgia. The Crimson Tide scored 49 points against South Carolina and 56 against Mississippi State. That defensive effort might be the only path to victory, but the offense must stop stalling.

Who starts under center remains the biggest question for the coaching staff. MacIntyre is expected to take the first snap, yet his passing game did not reach an elite level against Arkansas. Faizon Brandon offers better rushing ability, but his shoulder injury casts doubt on his status. Yahoo Sports reported that the injury does not require surgery, but the severity is unclear.

Heupel must find a creative way to use both players if Brandon heals enough to play. Neither quarterback has proven they can dominate a defense like Alabama’s. The passing game improved slightly with MacIntyre, but that is not enough to beat a top-tier team. The running game is better with Brandon, yet that option hangs in the balance. This uncertainty makes the game plan for October 17 very difficult to predict.

The matchup against Alabama is a tall order for the Volunteers. The Crimson Tide confirmed their status with a good showing in a 20-17 loss to Georgia. That game against Georgia arguably featured the best team in college football. Alabama has scored huge numbers all season, while Tennessee struggles to put points on the board. The home crowd at Neyland Stadium can act as an equalizer, but the offense must do its part.

Tennessee won 52-49 at home in 2022 and 24-17 in 2024. Alabama beat them 37-20 in Tuscaloosa in 2025. The all-time series favors Alabama 61-40-7, but recent years have been even. A loss could send the Vols toward a solid but unspectacular season. An appearance in the College Football Playoff could become possible for them if they win.

The coaches know each other well after a relationship spanning more than 20 years. Josh Heupel faces Kalen DeBoer in a game that defines their seasons. They need an offense that works, not just a defense that holds.