# SEC Evening Report: Heupel Keeps Tennessee's Quarterback Door Open Heading Into Kentucky Week **Published:** 2026-10-28 — **By:** Stacy Stanfield **Category:** daily-roundup — **Type:** daily-roundup **Source:** https://secscouts.com/news/sec-evening-report-heupel-keeps-tennessee-s-quarterback-door-open-heading-into-kentucky-week **Teams:** [Arkansas](https://secscouts.com/arkansas/), [Auburn](https://secscouts.com/auburn/), [Kentucky](https://secscouts.com/kentucky/), [Ole Miss](https://secscouts.com/ole-miss/), [Tennessee](https://secscouts.com/tennessee/) --- ## LEAD STORY: Tennessee's Quarterback Question Remains Unanswered Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel once again declined to name a starting quarterback for the Volunteers' upcoming matchup with Kentucky, keeping the competition between George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon publicly unresolved as Tennessee works through its bye week. MacIntyre has held the job since Brandon was pulled during the Auburn game, and he played well in stretches of Tennessee's road loss to South Carolina — though a critical error on a late fourth-and-one proved costly, a mistake Heupel confirmed was on the quarterback. MacIntyre also had three touchdowns wiped out by penalties Saturday, plays that would have dramatically changed his stat line. For the season, he has thrown for 728 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions while averaging 7.1 yards per attempt. Brandon's early-season production looms over the decision. Before an injury suffered against Texas derailed his hold on the job he won in the offseason, Brandon threw for 697 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 130 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. "They're both practicing, and practiced well today," Heupel said Wednesday. With an off week to get Brandon back to full strength, the staff is at least leaving a return to the dual-threat option on the table — even if MacIntyre remains the likelier starter against the Wildcats. ## QUICK HITS - **Texas linebacker earns Butkus recognition:** No. 11 Texas linebacker Biles was named a Butkus Award semifinalist, per school sites, making the senior the Longhorns' second semifinalist for the nation's top linebacker honor in the last two years. - **Sam Houston parts ways with Phil Longo:** Sam Houston fired head coach Phil Longo amid a 1-7 start, the school announced Wednesday, according to ESPN. Longo went 3-17 across two seasons leading the Bearkats. - **Grace Slaughter lands on Cheryl Miller Award watch list:** The Missouri guard was named to the watch list for the award honoring the nation's top small forward, an early-season nod ahead of the women's basketball campaign. - **Vols making noise on Sundays:** Tennessee's NFL contingent stayed busy in Week 7, with Dylan Sampson and Byron Young highlighting the former Volunteers' performances, per school sites. - **Volleyball spotlight shifts to ESPN:** A November 1 match against sixth-ranked Tennessee has been moved up to a 1:30 start and bumped from ESPN2 to ESPN — a scheduling upgrade that reflects the national draw of a top-10 volleyball showdown. ## PORTAL WATCH A quiet 12 hours on the transfer front — no new SEC portal entries or commitments to report. With the football season in its stretch run, portal activity typically stays dormant until the winter window approaches, but we'll be tracking any movement as it develops. ## RECRUITING BUZZ No new SEC commitments crossed the wire in this window. One national note from the hardwood: Lewis Uvwo, the No. 1 center in the class of 2027, committed to Providence on Wednesday, per ESPN — a reminder that elite frontcourt talent remains at a premium for every program recruiting the 2027 cycle, SEC schools included. ## GAMES TO WATCH No games on today's slate, but the upcoming schedule has plenty to circle: - **Auburn at No. 12 Ole Miss:** The marquee SEC football matchup on the horizon, with the Rebels defending their home turf against a Tigers team looking to play spoiler. - **Tennessee vs. Kentucky:** The Volunteers come out of their bye with a quarterback decision to make and a chance to reset after the South Carolina loss. - **Missouri vs. Arkansas:** Eli Drinkwitz previewed the matchup this week as the Tigers prepare for a divisional battle. - **No. 6 Texas women's basketball vs. Baylor (exhibition):** The Longhorns host their final tune-up before the regular season tips off. - **Softball vs. Texas State:** The fall slate winds down with a home matchup as programs close out their exhibition schedules. --- *Original article: [SEC Evening Report: Heupel Keeps Tennessee's Quarterback Door Open Heading Into Kentucky Week](https://secscouts.com/news/sec-evening-report-heupel-keeps-tennessee-s-quarterback-door-open-heading-into-kentucky-week) — SEC Scouts*