Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel declined to name a starting quarterback for the Alabama game when asked on Monday.

That, of course, isn’t surprising — it would’ve been more shocking if Heupel had revealed who will start against the Crimson Tide.

Sophomore George MacIntyre started last weekend against Arkansas and led the Vols to a 24-17 win. True freshman Faizon Brandon, who started the first five games of the season, didn’t play against Arkansas.

Brandon, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury since the Texas game, was replaced by MacIntyre the previous weekend against Auburn after he was ineffective in the first half (the Vols were trailing when MacIntyre entered the game before rallying for a 24-14 win).

MacIntyre and Brandon were listed as co-starters ahead of the Arkansas game. After the win, Heupel clarified to reporters that Brandon wasn’t “benched” and noted that he’s been injured.

It’s fair to say that Tennessee doesn’t have a clearly defined starting quarterback right now. And it’s very possible that Heupel won’t reveal who is starting against Alabama until just before game time.

Heupel explained on The Mike Keith Show last week that he doesn’t want to give the opponent a competitive advantage by revealing the starter early in the week.

“Anytime as a coach that you know exactly what you’re getting, who you’re getting, skill sets that you’re facing — and it’s at all positions, but certainly at that position too — it allows you the luxury of being able to scheme throughout the course of the week in preparation,” said Heupel. “There’s going to be differences in how you call the game and differences in what you’re practicing to face an opponent.”

I understand that Heupel wants to create any tiny advantage possible. I get it.

But I don’t think he’s fooling anyone this week (and he didn’t fool anyone last week).

The only choice here is MacIntyre. And look, I’m not out on Brandon at all. I still think he has an incredibly high ceiling and I think he needs to play more this season.

But Heupel has to go with MacIntyre to start the game against Alabama.

MacIntyre has led the Vols to two SEC wins the last two weeks. It hasn’t been perfect — there have been some tough learning moments — but MacIntyre is playing better right now and he’s starting to find his rhythm. Brandon, meanwhile, has struggled to find his footing as an 18 year old in the SEC and he’s been dealing with an injury. It wouldn’t be wise to throw Brandon back into the fire after a week and a half on the sidelines.

Based on what we’ve seen this season, MacIntyre has earned the right to start against Alabama. That doesn’t mean that he’ll start the rest of the season — it’s a week by week deal right now — but the only scenario that makes sense this week is starting MacIntyre.

I can’t imagine that Heupel sees it any other way.