Tennessee’s Josh Heupel stays cryptic on QB decision vs. South Carolina

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The 11th-ranked Tennessee football program has gotten off to one of its best starts ever under head coach Josh Heupel. Fresh off upsetting Alabama at home, the Volunteers enter this weekend’s matchup at South Carolina at 6-1. As Tennessee looks to improve to 7-1, Heupel has stayed mum on who will start at quarterback against the Gamecocks Saturday. According to On3’s Pete Nakos via X, formerly Twitter, it “would be a surprise” if sophomore George MacIntyre isn’t the starting signal caller Saturday in Columbia.

“Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel says he won’t name a starter this week against South Carolina, but it would be a surprise if it isn’t George MacIntyre,” posted Nakos on Monday afternoon. “The second-year QB is now 2-0 as a starter, with a top-10 win over Alabama.”

Aside from a three-point loss to previously top-ranked Texas, Tennessee has played very well to start the season. The 26-10 win over Alabama last Saturday was its third conference win, following previous wins over fellow SEC foes Auburn and Arkansas. Multiple upsets across the country last weekend shook college football, including the SEC. Tennessee currently sits in third place in the conference, tied with Ole Miss. Only Georgia and Kentucky are ahead of them.

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Starting MacIntyre against South Carolina feels like the best move at this point. The redshirt freshman started his second game against the Crimson Tide, providing steady if unspectacular play. MacIntyre went 21-of-31 for 197 yards and an interception, keeping the Volunteers’ offense moving for most of the afternoon. If he can put on a career-best performance this weekend, then Faizon Brandon might have a hard time getting the starting signal-caller role back. In either scenario, Heupel will have to decide whether MacIntyre or Brandon will be the face of the program moving forward.

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