Coach Josh Heupel's Tennessee Volunters scored a 24-14 home win over the invading Auburn Tigers in Week 5 action, a game that was marked by the benching of freshman star QB Faizon Brandon. The Volunteers were shorthanded without Qua Moss, their star defensive back, but managed to shut down the Tigers en route to a huge SEC win.

Brandon had a rough start, going 3-for-8 for zero yards and an interception before being sent to ride the pine by coach Heupel. George MacIntyre replaced Brandon and led the Volunteers to the win, while throwing for less than 100 yards.

Brandon is a freshman, a fact not lost on Heupel as Tennessee's season continues into the teeth of its conference schedule. The Volunteers did just fine with Brandon out of the game, but they will need him later in the season as he brings a different dimension to coach Heupel's team.

Brandon not 100%, Heupel says

Coach Heupel said after the game that his rising star QB wasn't his usual self during the game vs. Auburn. He said to ESPN that Brandon “just wasn't operation” and “didn't feel 100 percent,” which explains the poor first half performance.

Heupel spoke in vague terms about needing all of his players throughout the course of the season as Tennessee chases a College Football Playoff spot.

“Faizon ultimately didn't play his best football,” he said to media. “The turnover on the sideline and some of the things, just progressions, but I've said it a bunch to you guys: We're going to need them all throughout the course of the year. I alluded to that a little bit earlier with guys that had to step up.”

Brandon bolsters Tennessee running game

Brandon is a dual threat quarterback who keeps defenses honest with his legs, a dimension Tennessee will need more and more of as the year wears on. He is Tennessee's third-leading rushing behind DeSean Bishop and Daune Morris with 49 carries for 139 yards and three touchdowns.

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He also has played beyond his years as a passer, throwing seven touchdowns with no interceptions prior to his hiccup versus the Tigers. He entered the game with 697 yards passing and a completion percentage of over 62%, solid numbers for a rookie through four games including tough ones against Georgia Tech and Texas.

Brandon brings skills to the table that no other member of Heupel's team does, which is why he deserves to keep playing this season when the situation warrants it.

Schedule lightens up a bit

The Volunteers' schedule will lighten up a bit starting in Week 6 at Arkansas. Although Fayetteville is a tough place to play, Brandon and his teammates have the talent to take the fight to coach Ryan Silverfield's team and the running game is a big reason why.

If the Volunteers' offensive line can set and maintain the line-of-scrimmage against the Razorbacks, Brandon, Bishop and Morris will feast. Tennessee suffered an o-line injury before the game but fared well afterward. The Volunteers have the running game to keep them in, and help them win, any game for the rest of the season.

Now it's up to Heupel and his staff to monitor Brandon ahead of Week 6 to make sure he is up to the task of starting, or at least playing, in Arkansas. The Volunteers knew all along that this season wouldn't be easy, and Heupel started Brandon in spite of his freshman status.

As the season progresses, his talent will win out, and win over Heupel, as Tennessee continues its pursuit of a Playoff spot.