The Texas Longhorns are grappling with a quarterback conundrum as they sit at No. 2 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The question isn’t if Arch Manning will perform well; it’s how impressive his play will be and how it might shift the quarterback dynamic for Texas.
When starter Quinn Ewers exited last weekend’s game against Texas-San Antonio due to an oblique injury, it opened the door for Manning, the highly touted No. 1 recruit from the 2023 class. He stepped in and played like a Manning—making headlines and showcasing star potential.
Now, Manning has emerged as a formidable contender, posing a threat to Ewers’ Heisman Trophy aspirations. Is that an exaggeration? Perhaps, but it’s not far-fetched to think Texas coach Steve Sarkisian may soon have to choose between the two quarterbacks. Ewers is currently listed as "day to day," leaving his status uncertain, a common outcome with oblique injuries.
These injuries are notoriously tricky to evaluate and manage. Every case is unique, and recovery times can vary. For context, consider JT Daniels, the former Georgia QB and Heisman hopeful, who faced a similar oblique issue in 2021. He was deemed week-to-week but wasn’t cleared to play until late October, by which time Stetson Bennett had stepped up and led Georgia to back-to-back national titles.
This brings us back to the Manning dilemma.
Even if Ewers returns this week, or misses just one of the upcoming games against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, the lingering effects of a soft tissue injury pose significant risks. These types of injuries often require cautious rehabilitation, and without proper recovery, the likelihood of re-injury increases.
This uncertainty sets the stage for a pivotal two-game stretch against Oklahoma (Oct. 12) and Georgia (Oct. 19). Texas needs to navigate these matchups carefully, especially against an Oklahoma team that has won two of the last three meetings, and a Georgia squad riding a record 28 consecutive SEC wins.
Now, imagine if Manning steps in and delivers the standout performance many expect, propelling Texas toward a potential SEC championship and a top seed in the College Football Playoff. What happens next? Just as Bennett’s rise made it impossible for Georgia coach Kirby Smart to revert to Daniels, Texas may find itself in a similar situation.
However, if Ewers can’t play and Manning struggles, Texas could face setbacks that jeopardize their CFP ambitions by mid-October. The stakes are high, and the Manning problem is just beginning.
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