Faizon Brandon remains out with a shoulder injury, leaving George MacIntyre to make his second straight start against the sixth ranked Crimson Tide.
Tennessee will again go without its regular starting quarterback this week. George MacIntyre gets the nod against Alabama, his second consecutive start, with Faizon Brandon still sidelined by a shoulder injury.
MacIntyre first stepped in off the bench against Auburn, completing 80 percent of his passes for 86 yards and helping Tennessee win. He got his first career start last Saturday against Arkansas, throwing for 247 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 24-17 win.
Now he faces a much bigger test. No. 14 Tennessee hosts No. 6 Alabama, and MacIntyre will be under center for what is easily the largest game of his career so far. Brandon was listed as questionable heading into the matchup, but the Vols are sticking with MacIntyre rather than risking their usual starter.
It is a lot to ask of a quarterback making just his second start, especially against a ranked Alabama team looking to rebound. How MacIntyre handles the pressure could go a long way toward deciding whether Tennessee stays in the thick of the SEC race this season.