Grading backup QB George MacIntyre in Tennessee football vs Auburn

Tennessee's backup quarterback, George MacIntyre, made a significant impact in the Vols' 24-14 victory over Auburn on October 3. Replacing Faizon Brandon, who had been ineffective, MacIntyre entered the game late in the second quarter and took over the QB1 role. In his four appearances of the season, including this one, MacIntyre showcased steady performance and reassurance for the struggling offense.

Against Auburn, MacIntyre completed 8 of 10 passes for 86 yards, with no interceptions. His best play came on third-quarter, second-and-6 from the UT 42-yard line, when he connected with Mike Matthews on a 42-yard slant route. This big play helped the Vols establish a touchdown drive, revitalizing the team after a lack of progress earlier in the game. The play also showcased MacIntyre's ability to deliver crucial passes under pressure.

On the other hand, MacIntyre's performance had a minor flaw when he floated a pass to DaSaahn Brame during a second-quarter drive, which Brame dropped after taking a hard hit. Additionally, Matthews missed a catch on a subsequent pass, potentially costing the Vols a first down. However, such mistakes were hard to pinpoint in MacIntyre's overall performance.

In grading MacIntyre's game, he received an A-. His steady performance provided a much-needed stability to the Tennessee offense, which might have resulted in a loss without his contribution. The Vols now head to Arkansas on October 10 for their first SEC road game of the season.