Do the Texas Longhorns have an Arch Manning ‘problem?’

It’s been a wild week since Arch Manning broke college football internet. The Texas Longhorns backup QB accounted for five touchdowns against UTSA after starter Quinn Ewers had to leave in the 2nd quarter with an oblique strain.

But is there a quarterback controversy? College football experts and pundits have been debating that fact all week. While it doesn’t seem like Texas coach Steve Sarkisian would start Manning over Ewers if both are healthy, some say he’ll have little choice.

Matt Hayes of USA TODAY Sports thinks decisions will have to be made.

“It’s not a matter of if Arch Manning is going to play well. It’s how good it will look if and when he does again.

And how it could change the dynamic of the quarterback position for Texas, which is ranked No. 2 in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

When starter Quinn Ewers left last weekend’s game against Texas-San Antonio with an oblique injury, it opened a door that every red-blooded college football fan wildly ran through. Manning, the No.1 recruit from the 2023 recruiting class with the famous last name, finally got his chance.

Then played like every other Manning in this sport since the 1960s. Like a rock star.

Suddenly, Manning is the only thing that could keep Ewers from the Heisman Trophy. Hyperbole? Probably.” — Matt Hayes

Trainers tend to Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) during the game against UTSA at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

Hayes says the nature of Ewers injury could make the decision for Sark.

“We’re not that far from Texas coach Steve Sarkisian being forced to make a decision between the two quarterbacks. Ewers is listed as “day to day,” according to Sarkisian, and the injury is, essentially, wait and see. Like all oblique injuries.

These injuries are some of the most difficult to assess and treat. Every injury is different (Sarkisian says Ewers’ injury is an “abdomen strain”), and everyone heals differently.” — Matt Hayes

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) lines up for a snap during the game against UTSA at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

Hayes brings up the example of an oblique injury that lingered for more than a month.

“Now let me reintroduce JT Daniels, the former Georgia quarterback and Heisman Trophy favorite (sound familiar?) who sustained an oblique injury in Week 2 of the 2021 season. Daniels was considered week-to-week with his injury.

He wasn’t cleared to play again until late October, and by that time, a spunky backup named Stetson Bennett took over and eventually won two consecutive national titles.” — Matt Hayes

Georgia quarterback JT Daniels (18) and Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) in 2021. Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

If Ewers injury lasts past the next three weeks, then Manning will play two of the toughest games on the schedule.

“Even if Ewers returns this week, or if he only misses one or both of the next two cakewalk games (Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State), the nature of the injury is the issue.

Soft tissue injury rehabilitation is tenuous at best. From hamstring injuries, to quadriceps and biceps and pectoral strains, they all live in the same, frustrating, week to week clearance status — and all have a higher instance of re-injury without sustained rest.

That uncertainty brings into play the most important two-game stretch of the season for Texas: Oklahoma (Oct. 12) and Georgia (Oct. 19). The same Oklahoma that has won two of the last three over Texas, and the same Georgia and its (growing by the week) SEC record 28 consecutive SEC wins.” — Matt Hayes

If Manning plays against OU and Georgia, and wins, it will be tough for Sark to go back to Ewers, even if the Southlake product is fully healthy. There’s also a chance Manning isn’t ready for big time opponents. If he HAS to play, it could damage the playoff run.

“Let’s say Manning plays and does what many expect, putting up big numbers and keeping the Texas train humming toward a potential SEC championship and No.1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

Then what? Once Stetson Bennett replaced Daniels — and played at a high level — there was no chance Georgia coach Kirby Smart was moving back to Daniels. He rode the hot hand.

There’s also the possibility that if Ewers doesn’t play and Manning isn’t ready for the moment, Texas loses a game or two — and its CFP hopes are seriously damaged by mid-October.” — Matt Hayes

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian looks on during the second half against the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

It all makes for a potentially tricky situation for Coach Sark.

“Sarkisian went from the perfect quarterback room — a Heisman Trophy frontrunner and an uber-talented backup willing to wait his turn — to an interesting potential quarterback quandary. He could eventually have to make a decision between the quarterback who got him to the CFP last season and was playing at a high level before the injury, or the quarterback who just wanted an opportunity and got it.

Then seized the moment.

It’s a delicious dilemma. A blessing and a curse.” — Matt Hayes