Steve Sarkisian, the head coach of Texas, is keeping the fans waiting as he gets closer to making a big quarterback choice this week. Although Sarkisian has taken care not to incite a quarterback debate, Arch Manning’s improving play in Quinn Ewers’ absence has inevitably sparked discussion. Despite Manning giving his performance a modest C-plus, many are guessing about his future position after his stellar debut last week, which saw the Longhorns defeat Louisiana-Monroe 51-3.
With Ewers still recovering from an abdominal injury he suffered against UTSA, the decision becomes even more crucial. Ewers was once a top candidate for the Heisman Trophy, scoring 8 touchdowns and 691 yards in just 2 and a half games. Sarkisian disclosed that an ultimate call on Ewers’ availability will come on Friday, leaving the fans of the burnt orange eagerly awaiting word on whether it will be Ewers or Manning who starts against a struggling Mississippi State team this weekend.
Manning has kept the Longhorns on course and done just enough to secure victories, even though he hasn’t yet reached Ewers’ level of accuracy. However, Texas will need more from Manning than simply game management, or they’ll need Ewers back at full strength to preserve their top ranking, given their difficult schedule that includes games against Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout and a possible No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting with Georgia.
As the Longhorns get ready for these big games, Sarkisian will have his hands full, and their chances of winning a championship may depend on how the quarterback situation plays out.
