Tennessee’s 2022 win over Alabama was an instant classic with over 100 points scored. Tennessee’s 2026 win over Alabama could not have been more different. The Volunteers, tasked with breaking in a young, new quarterback this season, are operating in a completely different style these days. Credit Josh Heupel for the change, who has proven through the years that he’s more than willing to play any sort of way to win a football game.
Through the pursuit of Sam Leavitt, to the failed attempt to get Joey Aguilar another season, to Faizon Brandon winning the quarterback competition — Tennessee has weaved their way to George MacIntyre under center. And while he hasn’t done anything particularly special to this point, he’s giving the Volunteers exactly what they need right now.
That was on full display against Alabama. Everyone knows what Tennessee wants to do offensively, but the threat of MacIntyre making simple throws and executing the easy, misdirection, play-action reps has proven to be extremely valuable through three games.
MacIntyre was 21-31 for 197 yards against the Crimson Tide, throwing zero touchdowns and just one interception. However, it was his ability to keep the chains moving and keep the rushing game going that was really valuable to the Tennessee offense.
MacIntyre explained how it happened after the game.
“I thought I did a good job of just operating within the offense, getting the ball out,” MacIntyre said. “Bama, we knew they were going to play really soft on the outside. By soft, I mean, like, deep — not really letting any shots over the top. I felt like their game plan was just to keep having [us] snap it again, snap it again and make us sustain drives. And I feel like, especially in the second half, that’s what we did. We kind of stopped kicking ourselves in the foot with penalties and small execution things from myself and other people, and we were able to pull through in the second half.”
With the Alabama corners playing ten yards off and in a clear zone look, Tennessee just took what they were giving. MacIntyre simply threw outside to Mike Matthews, who was able to consistently get five to ten yards after the catch. With the Alabama defense crowding the box, it was an easy numbers game for the Volunteers to exploit.
“Played winning football,” Josh Heupel said of MacIntyre. “The ups and downs in a game like this, I thought he was decisive, going to the right spots on the football field. Had some adversity – tip, pick – man, just super consistent. Same demeanor. Goes out the following play, the following drive and cuts it, trusts his eyes.”
MacIntyre helped lead a dicey fourth-quarter win on the road against Arkansas. He’s coming off the high of a special Alabama win. Now, how will he respond in a very obvious tricky spot on the road against South Carolina? We’ll find out on Saturday.