The Vols QB Battle Is Starting To Look VERY Different...

The Tennessee Vols quarterback battle between Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre may finally be starting to take shape after Tennessee's first major preseason scrimmage. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down everything coming out of the Vols' scrimmage on the Big Orange Podcast, including the growing buzz around true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, George MacIntyre's performance, Tennessee's surprisingly encouraging offense and some legitimate concerns surrounding Jim Knowles' defense. The biggest takeaway may be what happened at quarterback. According to reports coming out of the scrimmage, Brandon made several impressive plays and continued building chemistry with Tennessee wide receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley. MacIntyre didn't necessarily have a bad day, either — and that's exactly why the situation is so encouraging for Josh Heupel and Tennessee. Instead of one quarterback simply making fewer mistakes, Brandon may be starting to actively win the job. Charlie and Zach discuss why another strong performance in Tennessee's second scrimmage could potentially put Brandon in position to emerge as QB1 before the Vols turn their full attention toward the 2026 season. The offense provided plenty of other encouraging developments as well. Tennessee's running back room could become an important part of helping a young quarterback, with DeSean Bishop leading a group that also includes Javin Gordon and D'Mon Marable. The Vols also appear to have legitimate weapons at wide receiver with Matthews, Staley and several other options competing for roles. But what does an impressive offensive scrimmage mean for Tennessee's defense? That's where the conversation gets more complicated. Charlie and Zach discuss their concerns about Tennessee's defensive line and pass rush as Jim Knowles installs his defense. They also examine how much confidence Vols fans should have in the unit entering the season and whether the defensive front can hold up against the better offensive lines Tennessee will face. The secondary is dealing with adversity as well after the injury to Edrees Farooq. The Big Orange Podcast discusses what his absence means for Tennessee's safety depth, the opportunity for DeJuan Lane and Dylan Lewis, and the late addition of Tennessee Tech defensive back Monty Hunt. Is Faizon Brandon beginning to take control of Tennessee's quarterback competition? How concerned should Vols fans actually be about the defense? And what should we be watching when Tennessee holds its second scrimmage? Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break it all down on the A to Z Sports Big Orange Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices