Arch Manning may very well be the best quarterback on the roster for the Texas Longhorns and could give the team the best chance to win in the College Football Playoff if he were the starting quarterback, but the unfortunate truth is that it’s unlikely he’ll get the chance.
The Texas Longhorns were able to notch a victory over the Clemson Tigers to advance in the College Football Playoff over the weekend, but they did it leaning on their defense and their rushing attack with both Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner eclipsing 100 yards on the game.
As college football expert Barrett Sallee of OutKick points out, the 38-24 win actually came despite what he described as a “very pedestrian” performance from Quinn Ewers.
“The hidden truth is that quarterback Quinn Ewers was a very pedestrian 17-of-24 for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Tigers on Saturday. Unfortunately, that’s par for the course,” Sallee wrote.
“The second-year starter has been nursing an ankle injury and, for the most part, has been more of a game-manager than a difference-maker – especially down the stretch. That had some asking if coach Steve Sarkisian might consider turning to sophomore signal-caller and hot shot recruit Arch Manning.”
Manning has played extensively this season, starting multiple games in relief of Ewers when he went down with an injury earlier in the year, and he has performed quite well. With his size nd prolific running ability, the young star quarterback adds a dimension to the Texas offense that Ewers cannot provide.
As a result, Texas has inserted Manning into the game in special packages to take advantage of his running ability. But the brutal truth is that even if he is the more dynamic quarterback that gives them the best chance to win, it’s unlikely that the team would replace Ewers.
“Sark trotted Manning out in specific packages on Saturday and at times prior to the CFP, but a full-time switch has never been a legitimate option. It’s hard to imagine Sark making that move now considering Texas is three games away from winning the national title, but it’s clear that he’s been coaching around his quarterback rather than ‘through’ him,” Sallee wrote.
We’ll have to see whether or not the team decides to stick with Ewers throughout the postseason or if they do decide to turn to Manning.
Texas is set to take on Arizona State in the quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff.
