Tennessee Volunteers - A to Z Sports

A to Z Sports - Tennessee Volunteers
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  1. 1d ago

    Did Josh Heupel Make The WRONG QB Decision?

    The Tennessee Vols have a massive decision to make at quarterback, and the latest Big Orange Podcast asks whether Josh Heupel made the wrong decision to start Faizon Brandon in the first place. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's quarterback situation after George McIntyre replaced Brandon against Auburn and helped the Vols escape with a win. The decision to pull Brandon was understandable. After struggling through six quarters of SEC football against Texas and Auburn, Brandon looked overwhelmed at times against Auburn. He hesitated on throws, missed opportunities downfield and ultimately threw an interception after waiting too long to make a decision. Add in the shoulder injury he suffered against Texas, and Charlie and Zach believe Tennessee had little choice but to make a change. McIntyre entered the game and immediately provided a different element. He completed 8 of 10 passes and made enough throws to force Auburn to respect Tennessee's passing game, which helped open up the running game and allowed the Vols to finish the comeback. But does that mean George McIntyre should be Tennessee's starting quarterback moving forward? Charlie and Zach aren't ready to make that declaration yet. McIntyre has not been asked to win a game with his arm, and the bar was extremely low when he entered the Auburn game. Simply completing passes and operating the offense was a major improvement over what Tennessee had gotten from Brandon during the previous six quarters. The guys also discuss the possibility that Tennessee may have made a quarterback decision similar to the Joe Milton Hendon Hooker situation. Brandon won the job during the offseason and showed significant potential in practice, but the question now is whether that potential translates when the lights are brightest. Tennessee has a $35 million roster and entered the season with legitimate playoff expectations. Charlie and Zach argue that this is what makes the current quarterback situation so frustrating. This was not supposed to be a developmental season. The Vols built this roster to compete now, and the guys question whether Tennessee should have pursued a more experienced quarterback after Joey Aguilar's departure rather than relying entirely on a true freshman. Now George McIntyre gets an enormous opportunity. If he starts against Arkansas, the pressure will be different than it was against Auburn. He will no longer be the backup with nothing to lose. He will be the guy expected to lead Tennessee. Can McIntyre handle that pressure? Can Faizon Brandon regain his confidence and eventually win the job back? And did Tennessee make the right quarterback decision in the first place? Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break it all down on the latest Big Orange Podcast. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Tennessee for Tennessee Volunteers football news, analysis, recruiting updates, game reactions and Big Orange Podcast episodes throughout the 2026 season. 00:00 Tennessee's quarterback situation 01:00 Why Faizon Brandon was pulled 02:00 Faizon's struggles against Auburn 03:30 The shoulder injury 04:30 George McIntyre changes the game 05:30 Did Tennessee make the right decision? 07:00 McIntyre still has a lot to prove 08:30 Faizon's upside remains huge 09:30 The Hooker vs. Milton comparison 11:00 What happens if McIntyre starts Arkansas? 12:30 The pressure changes when you're QB1 14:00 Did Tennessee mishandle the QB room? 15:30 Tennessee's $35 million roster 17:00 Should Tennessee have added another QB? 18:30 The true freshman problem 20:00 Can McIntyre save the season? 21:00 What happens to Faizon? Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more VOLS coverage: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: #TennesseeVols #TennesseeFootball #Vols #GeorgeMcIntyre #FaizonBrandon

  2. 1d ago

    Vols Defense Has Moved the Goal Posts Until the QB Problem Gets FIXED

    Tennessee’s defense didn’t merely protect a lead against Auburn—it allowed the Vols to survive a difficult offensive performance and an unexpected quarterback change. Charlie Burris and former Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton examine how Jim Knowles has changed Tennessee’s identity. Dejuan Lane finished with nine tackles, two sacks and an interception, while Tevis Metcalf supplied the game-sealing takeaway as the Vols forced three Auburn turnovers. Crompton explains why Tennessee may only need 21 to 24 points to win many of its remaining games. That represents a major change for a program that has often needed its offense to control the outcome under Josh Heupel. With two inexperienced quarterbacks and a veteran running back carrying the offense, can Knowles’ defense become the backbone of Tennessee’s season? #TennesseeFootball #Vols #JimKnowles #SECfootball Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more VOLS coverage: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: #tennesseevols #tennesseevolunteers #secfootball

  3. 2d ago

    DeSean Bishop’s LEGENDARY Night Carries Vols On His Back Over Auburn

    DeSean Bishop delivered when Tennessee desperately needed an answer against Auburn. After Faizon Brandon threw the first interception of his college career and Josh Heupel made a change at quarterback, Bishop became the centerpiece of Tennessee’s offense. The Knoxville native rushed 34 times for 220 yards and scored all three of the Vols’ touchdowns in a 24-14 victory. Charlie Burris and former Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton break down how Bishop took control, what George MacIntyre showed after entering the game and why Heupel wisely leaned on the running game instead of placing the entire offense on an inexperienced quarterback. Crompton also explains why MacIntyre’s two official incompletions do not tell the whole story and defends Heupel’s decision to play conservatively before halftime. #TennesseeFootball #Vols #DeSeanBishop #AuburnFootball Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more VOLS coverage: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: #tennesseevols #tennesseevolunteers #secfootball

  4. 2d ago

    Vols BEST QB Plan for Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre vs Arkansas

    Josh Heupel faces a major quarterback decision after pulling Faizon Brandon and watching George MacIntyre help Tennessee defeat Auburn. Former Vols quarterback Jonathan Crompton explains why the answer against Arkansas may be using both quarterbacks rather than choosing only one. His proposed plan features MacIntyre in Tennessee’s conventional passing offense while creating a separate package for Brandon built around the zone read, speed option and Brandon’s athletic ability. Crompton believes the contrasting styles could force Arkansas to split valuable practice time between two different versions of Tennessee’s offense. He even proposes putting both quarterbacks on the field for the opening play to give future opponents another wrinkle to prepare for. If Heupel must select one starter, Crompton explains why he currently would choose MacIntyre—especially if Brandon is not completely healthy. But he also details why Tennessee needs to rebuild Brandon’s confidence, keep both young quarterbacks invested and avoid turning the decision into an either-or proposition. Could a two-quarterback plan modeled loosely on Florida’s Chris Leak-Tim Tebow approach give Tennessee its best chance in Fayetteville? #TennesseeFootball #Vols #FaizonBrandon #GeorgeMacIntyre Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more VOLS coverage: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: #tennesseevols #tennesseevolunteers #secfootball

  5. 5d ago

    The Vols Have A HUGE Problem Before Auburn...

    Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. The Tennessee Vols have a major problem heading into their matchup with Auburn. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan preview Tennessee vs. Auburn and break down the growing concerns surrounding the Vols' offensive line, Faizon Brandon and the team's ability to bounce back after the loss to Texas. Tennessee has already lost Wendell Moe for the season, and his absence exposed just how thin the Vols are along the offensive line. Now Tennessee is dealing with another major question in the form of Shamurad Umarov, who is listed as questionable heading into the Auburn game. After allowing 10 sacks against Texas, the Vols simply cannot afford another major injury up front. Charlie and Zach discuss the potential offensive line combinations Tennessee could use against Auburn and explain why the situation could become extremely difficult if another player is unavailable. That puts even more pressure on Faizon Brandon. The Tennessee quarterback is coming off the toughest game of his young career against Texas, and the guys discuss reports that his throwing shoulder is not 100%. Brandon is expected to play, but Tennessee has to be careful about how much it asks him to run after he took a beating against the Longhorns. The biggest question may be whether Tennessee changes its offensive game plan. Charlie and Zach believe the Vols need to get the football out of Brandon's hands quickly, use more screens and short throws, attack the edges and find ways to protect their young quarterback while the offensive line works through its injury problems. The running game will also be critical. Tennessee needs to run the ball much better than it did against Texas, and the guys discuss how Deshaun Bishop and Daune Morris could be used differently against Auburn. On the other side of the football, Charlie and Zach are much more confident in Tennessee's defense. Jim Knowles' defense held Texas in check for much of the game, pressured Arch Manning and limited explosive plays. Auburn's offense presents a different challenge, particularly with quarterback Byron Brown's ability to run, but the guys believe Tennessee's defense should be capable of keeping Auburn's scoring total relatively low. That means the game could come down to one question: Can Tennessee's offense score enough points without putting Faizon Brandon in harm's way? Charlie and Zach also discuss whether Auburn could keep the game ugly and turn it into a defensive battle. Then come the predictions. Zach predicts Tennessee to beat Auburn 27-13. Charlie predicts Tennessee to win 24-20. Can the Vols bounce back from the Texas loss? Can Faizon Brandon respond? And can Tennessee's offensive line hold together long enough for the Vols to get through October? Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break it all down on the latest Big Orange Podcast. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Tennessee for Tennessee Volunteers football news, analysis, recruiting updates, game reactions and Big Orange Podcast episodes throughout the 2026 season. 00:00 Tennessee vs. Auburn preview 01:00 Wendell Moe is out for the season 02:00 Tennessee's offensive line depth problem 03:00 More OL injuries? 04:00 Faizon Brandon's shoulder 05:00 Auburn's defensive front 06:00 Tennessee needs to change its game plan 07:00 Protecting Faizon Brandon 08:00 Tennessee's running game 09:00 Using screens and short throws 10:00 Tennessee's defense vs. Auburn 11:00 Can Byron Brown hurt Tennessee? 12:00 Why the Vols feel good about the defense 13:00 Auburn's offensive ceiling 14:00 Can Tennessee score enough? 15:00 The biggest question: Faizon's response 16:00 What the Texas loss taught us 17:00 Faizon's toughness 18:30 Faizon's mental response 19:00 Score predictions 21:00 Zach's prediction: Tennessee 27, Auburn 13 22:00 Charlie's prediction: Tennessee 24, Auburn 20 23:00 Mississippi State vs. Alabama 25:00 Final thoughts Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more VOLS coverage: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: #TennesseeVols #TennesseeFootball #Vols #FaizonBrandon #AuburnFootball

  6. Sep 29

    Josh Heupel's BIGGEST Problem At Tennessee Is Getting Worse...

    Josh Heupel and Tennessee have a major problem to fix after the Vols' loss to Texas. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's late-game execution and explain why the problems that showed up during the final drive against Texas are part of a larger trend under Heupel. Tennessee had a golden opportunity against Texas. The Vols recovered an onside kick near midfield with enough time to potentially drive for a game-winning field goal or touchdown. Instead, Tennessee moved backward, committed penalties, struggled to protect Faizon Brandon and ultimately failed to give itself the best possible chance on the final play. Charlie and Zach break down the final drive play by play, including the offensive line problems, the penalties, the personnel decisions and Tennessee's decision not to spike the football before attempting a final Hail Mary. The guys also point out that this isn't an isolated incident. They revisit several other late-game and end-of-half situations from the Heupel era, including games against Alabama, Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Georgia. The 2022 Alabama game stands out as an example of Tennessee executing perfectly in a late-game situation, but the guys argue that the Vols have struggled far too often in similar moments since then. Is this a coaching problem? A play-calling problem? A personnel problem? Or some combination of all three? Charlie and Zach also discuss the larger offensive issues surrounding Tennessee. The defense has taken a massive step forward under Jim Knowles, but the offense has struggled to find the same edge and consistency. The guys question whether Heupel needs a stronger, more independent offensive voice alongside him and whether Joey Halzle is providing enough of a contrasting perspective. They also discuss the possibility of Tennessee eventually making a major change at offensive coordinator and why a coach with a different offensive philosophy could help Heupel the same way Jim Knowles has helped transform the defense. With Auburn coming up next, Tennessee has an important opportunity to respond. The Vols should have a favorable matchup against Auburn, but injuries along the offensive line could make the game much more complicated. Can Tennessee fix its late-game problems? Can the offense find its identity? And can the Vols respond after the Texas loss? Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break it all down on the latest Big Orange Podcast. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Tennessee for Tennessee Volunteers football news, analysis, recruiting updates, game reactions and Big Orange Podcast episodes throughout the 2026 season. 00:00 Tennessee's late-game problem 01:00 The Texas final drive 02:00 Why Tennessee couldn't get into field goal range 03:00 Josh Heupel's late-game history 04:00 The mistakes against Texas 05:00 The final Hail Mary 06:30 Why Tennessee should have spiked it 08:00 Tennessee keeps looking rushed 09:30 Heupel's bigger offensive problem 11:00 Does Tennessee need a new offensive voice? 12:30 Joey Halzle and the offense 14:00 Tennessee needs more of an edge 15:30 Auburn is the next opportunity 16:30 Injury concerns 17:30 Can Tennessee turn things around? Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more VOLS coverage: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: #TennesseeVols #TennesseeFootball #Vols #JoshHeupel

  7. Sep 29

    The Vols Have A HUGE Problem That Could Ruin Their Season...

    The Tennessee Vols' loss to Texas exposed a major problem that could have a huge impact on the rest of the 2026 season. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's offensive line issues after the Vols were dominated in the trenches against Texas, allowing an incredible 10 sacks in a game Tennessee ultimately lost by only three points. The offensive line was already a concern entering the season, but the performance against Texas raised much bigger questions about whether Tennessee can protect Faizon Brandon well enough to compete at the highest level of the SEC. Brandon is only 18 years old and was playing in his first SEC game against one of the best defensive fronts in college football. Charlie and Zach discuss why Brandon deserves some grace for his performance, while also explaining why Tennessee has to do a much better job of protecting its young quarterback. The guys break down the individual struggles along Tennessee's offensive line, including the problems at guard and right tackle, the lack of depth and the difficulty of replacing injured players. They also discuss David Sanders Jr.'s struggles against Colin Simmons and why his performance should be viewed differently from some of the other offensive line issues Tennessee experienced against Texas. Was Tennessee's decision not to make a bigger investment in the offensive line during the offseason a mistake? Charlie and Zach debate whether Josh Heupel and Tennessee need to become more aggressive in the transfer portal when it comes to adding offensive linemen, especially at right tackle. The guys also discuss Faizon Brandon's performance and the areas where he needs to improve. Brandon missed some opportunities against Texas and held onto the football too long at times, but the hosts argue that it is difficult to evaluate an 18-year-old quarterback when pressure is consistently arriving in his face. With Auburn coming up next, Tennessee has an important opportunity to respond. Auburn does not have a defensive front comparable to Texas, meaning this game should provide an important test of whether Tennessee's offensive line can bounce back and give Brandon more time to operate. The Vols still have a path to a strong season, but the offensive line has become one of the biggest questions surrounding this team. Can Tennessee fix the problem before it costs the Vols another game? Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break it all down on the latest Big Orange Podcast. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Tennessee for Tennessee Volunteers football news, analysis, recruiting updates, game reactions and Big Orange Podcast episodes throughout the 2026 season. 00:00 Tennessee's offensive line problem 01:00 Zach's reaction to the Texas loss 02:00 Faizon Brandon's first SEC game 03:00 Tennessee got dominated in the trenches 04:00 Is the offensive line actually garbage? 05:00 Texas isn't the best team in America 06:30 Tennessee wasted a huge opportunity 07:00 The offensive line is the bigger problem 08:30 What happened to Tennessee's OL? 09:30 Can Glenn Ellerbe fix it? 10:30 Tennessee's offensive line depth 12:00 Faizon had no time to throw 13:00 Ethan Davis' absence mattered 14:00 Tennessee's play-calling vs. Texas 15:00 Faizon's mistakes 16:00 Josh Heupel has to make changes 17:00 Tennessee needs better transfer portal additions 19:00 How much can Tennessee fix? 20:00 Auburn is the next test 22:00 Can Tennessee get the run game going? 24:00 The path to 10 wins 25:00 More offensive line changes? 26:00 Alabama and the rest of the schedule 27:00 Looking around the SEC 29:00 Next: Tennessee's final drive Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more VOLS coverage: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: #TennesseeVols #TennesseeFootball #Vols #FaizonBrandon #BigOrangePodcast

  8. Sep 28

    Tennessee’s Ceiling Just Changed and Why Auburn Is a Favorable Matchup

    Jim Knowles’ Tennessee defense delivered a breakthrough performance against No. 1 Texas—and it may have changed what the Vols can accomplish in 2026. Lipscomb Sport Analytics: Where Data Meets the Game Tennessee held the Longhorns to 61 rushing yards while recording six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Jonathan Crompton breaks down the creativity within Knowles’ scheme, including the different pressure packages, disguised coverages and versatile defenders that made life difficult for Arch Manning. The conversation then turns toward Tennessee’s next opponent. Alex Golesh returns to Neyland Stadium as Auburn’s head coach, but Crompton believes Josh Heupel’s familiarity with Golesh’s system—and Knowles’ ability to attack it—creates a significant tactical advantage for the Vols. Could Tennessee use the Texas loss as a turning point, beat Auburn and Arkansas and enter the Alabama game at 5-1? Charlie and Crompton examine why that path remains realistic. #TennesseeFootball #JimKnowles #Vols Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more VOLS coverage: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: #tennesseevols #tennesseevolunteers #secfootball

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