The CFB Pulse: Weekly News That Actually Matters
Kevin dives into CFB news that you need to know!
The CFB Pulse exists to cut through the daily college football noise and surface the updates that actually matter for your C2C, CFF, and Devy leagues. We scour the college football landscape every week, coaching notes, depth-chart movement, portal ripples, injuries, whispers from inside programs, and distill it into actionable takeaways that help you stay ahead of your league mates before value fully catches up.
Now that we’ve turned the calendar to February, the news cycle begins to shift. It’s quieter on the surface, but this is where edges are quietly created. As winter conditioning rolls into spring camps, roles start to crystallize, usage clues emerge, and early momentum builds for players who will matter later this fall and beyond. The CFB Pulse is designed to catch those signals early, so by the time the rest of the market reacts, you’re already positioned.
🍊 Tennessee’s QB Room Just Got Complicated: What Aguilar’s Denial Means for 2026
The offseason just took a hard left turn in Knoxville.
Joey Aguilar saw his request for a preliminary injunction denied by a Knoxville judge, dealing a decisive blow to his bid for an eighth season of eligibility. He has 30 days to appeal, but the reality is this: Tennessee is now operating as if he won’t be back.
That shifts the spotlight squarely onto one of the most fascinating quarterback battles in the SEC heading into 2026.
What This Means for Tennessee
Aguilar’s lone season on Rocky Top was uneven but productive:
67.3% completion rate
3,565 yards
24 TD / 10 INT
Tennessee finished No. 2 in the SEC in total offense (466.3 YPG)
He wasn’t perfect, but he was experienced. And experience matters in the SEC. Now, with Aguilar likely pivoting toward the NFL Draft, Josh Heupel must choose between three options:
George MacIntyre (redshirt freshman)
Faizon Brandon (five-star freshman)
Ryan Staub (Colorado transfer)
Tennessee tried to add more portal security, notably pursuing Sam Leavitt before LSU shut that down, but ultimately, they’ll have to turn to youth. And that makes this spring must-watch football.
The “Safe” Option: George MacIntyre
MacIntyre technically has the inside track. Not because of reps, he’s thrown just nine passes in his career (7-of-9, 69 yards), but because he’s had a year inside Heupel’s system. That matters in an offense built on tempo, spacing, and quick decisions. He’s the steady hand. The guy who likely limits mistakes. If Tennessee wants stability while the rest of the roster pushes for a CFP berth, MacIntyre is the conservative choice. But safe doesn’t always win championships.
The Buzz Is Real: Faizon Brandon
Brandon is where the ceiling lives. His résumé is absurd:
2025
6-0 as starter after thumb injury
65.3% completion
1,116 yards, 11 TD, 1 INT
233 rush yards, 3 TD
Led Grimsley to North Carolina 7A championship
Named “Alpha Dog” at National Combine (247Sports)
2024
Gatorade & MaxPreps NC Player of the Year
16-0 record, 4A state title
77.1% completion
2,814 yards, 35 TD, 2 INT
625 rushing yards, 9 TD
This isn’t hype built on projection alone. He’s dynamic. He’s efficient. He’s a dual-threat with elite accuracy. And internally? There’s real buzz that he may be too talented to keep off the field. The risk? True freshmen rarely walk into the SEC and immediately command a playoff-caliber offense. The reward? He might be the most explosive quarterback Tennessee has had in the Heupel era.
Don’t Forget Ryan Staub
Staub brings maturity and transfer experience from Colorado. He may not carry Brandon’s upside or MacIntyre’s system familiarity, but he gives Tennessee a stabilizing veteran presence in the room. At minimum, he raises the competition floor.
Bigger Picture: CFP Pressure
Tennessee believes it can threaten for a College Football Playoff berth in 2026. Losing Aguilar increases the pressure dramatically:
Pressure on the young QBs to grow up fast.
Pressure on Heupel to pick correctly.
Pressure on the offense to maintain SEC-level production without a veteran trigger man.
If MacIntyre wins, it’s about control and execution. If Brandon wins, it’s about ceiling and playmaking. Either way, this battle might define Tennessee’s season before it even starts. And make no mistake, it’s one of the most intriguing quarterback competitions in the SEC. It’s also intriguing for college fantasy purposes and has devy implications. This is a battle to watch as Spring ball starts.
