One scenario where Arch Manning unseats Quinn Ewers at QB for Texas
It has been a week full of Arch Manning talk. The Texas Longhorns backup QB replaced an injured Quinn Ewers against UTSA last Saturday. Manning accounted for five touchdowns and college football analysts have been having a field day speculating if there is a QB controversy now in Austin since.
If you look at it logically, Quinn Ewers is the starting QB as soon as he's back from injury. After all, Ewers has way more experience. He's in his third year as a starting QB. Ewers got Texas to the college football playoff last season and has looked great so far this season. He looked like the next Heisman Trophy winner after whipping the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is loyal.
But there is one scenario where Ewers might never get back on the field for Texas. It requires a couple specific things to happen. But if the dominoes fall in a certain way, Arch Manning will be Texas' starting quarterback indefinitely.
Domino 1: Quinn Ewers injury takes a month to heal
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian says Ewers is 'day-to-day' and would be listed as 'questionable' if an official injury report was needed for the next game. Sark didn't say 'doubtful.' But oblique injuries can be stubborn, as can all soft-tissue injuries. Because of its location it can be difficult to treat. Rehabilitation is difficult. It hurts every time you move.
In 2021, Georgia QB JT Daniels suffered the same injury in Week 2 and wasn't cleared to play until mid-October. By then, Stetson Bennett had taken over and would lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back national titles.
Domino 2: Arch Manning continues stellar play
For this scenario to play out, Manning needs to continue to look great at QB. His play against UTSA lit the college football world on fire. But that was UTSA. UL Monroe on Saturday should be a similar test.
Week 5 opponent Mississippi State looks to be the worst team in the SEC. So Manning should continue to put up big numbers. MSU is the first SEC game for the Longhorns, a big moment for the program. Arch's grandfather and uncle both played for Hail State Egg Bowl rival Ole Miss. Manning starting that game would be kind of iconic.
Domino 3: Arch Manning beats Oklahoma and Georgia
If Ewers injury lingers, Manning will have to start against the Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs. A back-to-back gauntlet for any quarterback. But if Manning plays well and wins both of those games, it would be tough to replace him.
Especially, if Texas wins those games handily.
Domino 4: A tough decision
Ewers gets cleared to play against Vanderbilt (or soon after) after Manning beats both OU and UGA. What do you do if you're Sark? 99.9% of coaches will ride the hot hand.
The team chemistry has changed some since Ewers went down vs. UTSA. The Longhorns have gone into the crucible of playing a rival in a neutral site, bowl-type situation, and has beaten mighty Georgia. They've won tough games now with Manning.
Domino 5: Arch Manning is the starting QB
Everyone feels bad for Ewers, but Arch Manning is now the starting QB, without Ewers ever getting back on the field. It's the right call in a ruthless sport. Manning will remain the starter until Texas loses, if it loses. If there's a Manning loss in the mix, then Sark will have more tough decisions to make ...
... in this scenario.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: One scenario where Arch Manning unseats Quinn Ewers at QB for Texas
