Grading QB Faizon Brandon in Tennessee win over Auburn where he was benched

In Tennessee's victory over Auburn on October 3, freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon was substituted by backup George MacIntyre in the second quarter. Brandon, Tennessee's former five-star recruit, had started the first four games but struggled against Auburn, trailing 7-3 with 3:42 minutes left in the half. Coach Josh Heupel cited Brandon's lack of 100% performance when making the substitution.

Brandon's performance against Auburn was lackluster. He completed only three passes, all with positive yards, and was sacked twice. He also gained minus-9 rushing yards, including two sacks. Brandon had never intercepted a pass in his first four games but committed a costly error in the second quarter, being picked off by Xavier Atkins on a rollout pass. The interception shifted the field position in Auburn's favor, leading to a touchdown and a 7-3 halftime deficit for Tennessee.

Overall, Brandon's performance against Auburn was poor, earning him a failing grade of F. He was ineffective, passing for no yards, indecisive in the pocket, and contributing negatively as a runner and scrambler. Although the offensive line did not provide the necessary support, Brandon's poor decision-making and limited mobility were the primary factors behind his poor showing. The Tennessee football team will rely on backup QB George MacIntyre for their upcoming game against Arkansas on October 10.