Texas A&M prepares for Tennessee's two-quarterback threat

01What Happened

With Tennessee coming to Kyle Field on Saturday, Texas A&M is preparing separate defensive plans for starting quarterback MacIntyre and freshman Faizon Brandon, even though coach Mike Elko expects Tennessee to continue with MacIntyre.

Tennessee has not named its official starter or disclosed how many snaps Brandon could play. Brandon won the job in camp before a shoulder injury against Texas slowed him. MacIntyre took over in Tennessee's Oct. 10 win at Arkansas, throwing for 247 yards and a touchdown, and has started since.

The decision reaches both teams' postseason paths. Tennessee is 7-2 and ranked No. 8 in the College Football Playoff Committee rankings. Texas A&M is 4-5, 1-5 in the SEC, and needs two wins from its final three games to become bowl eligible.

Aggies safety Marcus Ratcliffe said Tuesday that A&M is preparing for both quarterbacks.

“Yeah, we're preparing for both. I think MacIntyre, he's a good field general. He can throw the ball, run the ball a little bit. I think he commands the offense pretty well. The other quarterback, Faizon, he's just an amazing athlete. He can run the ball well, has a good touch on the ball as well. But they're two good quarterbacks, and so we're scheming them a little differently,” Ratcliffe said.

02Why This One Matters

Brandon does not have to start to change A&M's preparation. Tennessee has used him in situational packages, including against Kentucky, and those packages produced first downs and explosive plays. The Aggies must account for a second version of the offense without knowing how often Brandon will enter.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said Monday that the packages worked because Brandon and the players around him executed them.

“Some of the situational stuff that we were able to use him in created first downs. He was a major part of that. Explosive run, or pass, to Mike (Matthews). It gives the defenses another thing to prepare for. But those things work because of the execution. The quarterback and the talented guys around him, too,” Heupel said.

A&M held South Carolina to 17 points on Nov. 7, but the Aggies also gave up a 41-yard touchdown run to quarterback LaNorris Sellers in the final two minutes. Brandon gives Tennessee another quarterback who can threaten a defense with his legs while MacIntyre remains available to run the broader offense.

03What Most People Are Missing

Brandon won Tennessee's job in camp as a five-star freshman. He was slowed by a shoulder injury in the loss to Texas, a game in which Texas sacked him 10 times, and the Auburn game was his last start. Tennessee began working him back into the offense through situational packages against Kentucky.

Heupel said Brandon had returned to being close to full health after the injury. Tennessee has not said whether he is fully cleared for a larger role.

04Next Man Up

MacIntyre remains the likely starter because he has held the job since Arkansas and because Elko said Monday he expects Tennessee to stay with him.

“I think the quarterback is getting better every week and getting more and more comfortable in the system,” Elko said.

MacIntyre's first start produced 247 passing yards and a touchdown in a 24-17 win. Brandon's return gives Heupel a way to use the quarterback who won the job in camp without immediately removing MacIntyre from the offense.

05What the Coaches Can Actually Change

Heupel can decide how much of the game belongs to Brandon's running and playmaking ability. A narrow package would force A&M to prepare for designed quarterback runs and throws without changing Tennessee's primary structure. A larger role would make the quarterback question harder to separate from the game plan.

Elko said he expects MacIntyre to start, but Ratcliffe made clear that A&M's defense is not preparing for only one quarterback. The Aggies have to recognize Brandon's personnel and usage without losing their answers for MacIntyre.

06The Quarterback Read

MacIntyre is the likelier starter, but Brandon's usage matters more than the label. Tennessee can make A&M defend both quarterbacks without making a public change, and the Volunteers have already put successful Brandon packages on film.

That gives Tennessee a quarterback decision with playoff stakes while A&M plays for the two wins it needs to reach a bowl. The game will show whether Brandon is a changeup or a meaningful share of the offense, but A&M's preparation already says the Aggies cannot treat him as a backup who will stay on the sideline.

07What to Watch Next

1. Brandon's first appearance: The down, distance and field position will show whether Tennessee is using him for a narrow package or more than that. 2. A&M's response: Watch whether the Aggies change personnel when Brandon enters. 3. MacIntyre's return: When Brandon leaves, Tennessee's ability to move cleanly back to MacIntyre will reveal how much the rotation affects the offense.

For Heupel, Brandon's health has made the choice larger than the opening snap. “It gives the defenses another thing to prepare for,” he said.