Tennessee football is looking to fight its way back into the College Football Playoffs after finishing 8-5 (4-4 SEC) this past season. In this effort, it has fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks and replaced him with well-respected Jim Knowles.
However, to college football analyst Joel Klatt, it’s tough to look past the quarterback battle that is set to unfold. No matter the option, George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon or Ryan Staub, it’ll be an unproven signal caller leading the offense.
That’s a similar situation to Alabama, which Klatt is also skeptical of. In Tuscaloosa, it’ll be redshirt junior Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell battling for the job.
Klatt gave his thoughts on the outlook for both the Vols and Crimson Tide on a recent episode of the Joel Klatt Show. To him, he looks at examples of programs using experienced transfers as having success, while those who opt for younger options struggle.
Due to the quarterback play, Klatt said he finds it tough to see both Tennessee and Alabama not underachieving in 2026.
“That’s why it’s so strange to see these giant brands, who want to play at that level, Alabama and Tennessee, going with inexperience,” Klatt said. “I don’t know if there is any way that those two teams, those two programs, are not underachieving next fall, just simply based on that. So, we’ll see how that goes. I find it very fascinating.”
More From RTI: Pair of Tennessee Football Players Listed With Heisman Trophy Betting Odds Heading into Spring
Initially, it appeared there was a chance Tennessee could be returning an experienced quarterback in Joey Aguilar. However, after being granted a temporary restraining order, which allowed him to go through winter workouts with the team, a judge did not grant him his request for a preliminary injunction.
Now, Aguilar is turning the page to begin his pro career. He traveled to the NFL Scouting Combine in February and will be in attendance for Tennessee’s Pro Day at the end of March.
The winner of the starting job to replace Aguilar will be in a solid situation to take over an SEC offense, though. Last season, Aguilar threw for an SEC-high 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Next year, it’ll be a lot of returning pieces from that recipe.
