Why Faizon Brandon over George MacIntyre is Tennessee QB talk run amok

Has Faizon Brandon pulled ahead of George MacIntyre in the Tennessee quarterback competition a month after spring practice ? Or is this just an offseason talking point that’s gotten out of hand? Beginning in mid-May, Brandon got a boost among Tennessee football fans on social media and even some traditional media.

It raises the question about what changed in the QB battle that coach Josh Heupel says is open until at least preseason practice in August. On this podcast episode of " The Volunteer State ," beat writer Adam Sparks and columnist John Adams discuss how this storyline developed, and they attempt to separate reality from perception. Plus, they size up the job that Josh Elander has done in his debut season at Tennessee baseball head coach.

To hear the full conversation, listen to the 52-minute podcast. Here are a few highlights. Why Faizon Brandon's trajectory is better than George MacIntyre Brandon, a five-star freshman, impressed UT coaches in spring practice, but he also understandably made rookie mistakes.

MacIntyre, a redshirt freshman, had highs and lows. The perceived gap between them appeared to shrink and perhaps disappear in spring practice. So why do some fans believe that Brandon has the job in hand already?