The Auburn game may have been an experiment at the quarterback position for Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.
If it was, the Volunteers' headman didn't reveal the results following the 24-14 win over the Tigers on Rocky Top.
Heupel benched true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon in the first quarter after throwing an interception to Auburn Will linebacker Xavier Atkins on the sideline and generally being slow to process the field in front of him.
Heupel rode backup George MacIntyre to an 8-of-10 passing performance for 86 yards, though the head coach really rode running back DeSean Bishop's dominance.
Bishop had 220 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Against DJ Durkin's defense, running backs could carry the load. Jadan Baugh also proved that during Florida's 44-39 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Week 3.
When the schedule turns and includes Alabama and LSU? Different story.
Josh Heupel on Vols QB1 after Auburn win: 'We’ll go watch the tape'
Heupel admitted that Brandon didn't play well against Auburn during his snaps and that MacIntyre did.
Still, he claimed that both quarterbacks could be used at various points this season.
Heupel boasted about how often he reps the backups throughout the week, which set up MacIntyre to be ready on short notice.
"Faizon ultimately didn’t play his best football. The turnover on the sideline and some of the things, just progressions," Heupel said. "But I’ve said it a bunch to you guys. We’re going to need them all throughout the course of the year.
"...George’s ability to throw the football in the second half allowed us to create a big play, in particular the one to Mike early. But in general, it allowed us to take advantage of some of the things that they were giving us.
"...George has stayed locked in. When we first named the guy, we told them both that almost every time it ends up being that multiple guys are gonna be needed. So you better be ready for your opportunity. And I’m proud of George for being ready and prepared.”
On the one hand, you'd like to think that guiding Tennessee to a win over the Tigers would be enough to earn MacIntyre the job. MacIntyre picked his spots and played his role practically perfectly. Heupel conceded that Brandon's shoulder wasn't the entire reason for his struggles.
Then again, with the randomness of college football, perhaps one result can't guarantee success during the rest of the schedule.
There's a lesson in there that Auburn fans probably don't want to hear right now, but it is legitimate nonetheless.
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