The Daily Texan has managed to steer clear from one of the biggest debates and controversies in college football all season, mostly because Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has made it clear what the starting quarterback situation would look like each week in Austin.
“Quinn (Ewers) is our guy,” Sarkisian would say each time he was asked about who would be the signal caller ahead of next week’s game.
But for the first time all year, Sarkisian has given fans and media an actual reason to question who will be, or should be, the main man under center. Junior quarterback Quinn Ewers has indeed been Sarkisian’s guy this year, taking all but five of his possible snaps when healthy this season. The thing is, all five of those snaps have come in the last two games in favor of redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning, whose athleticism and natural talent have made him a fan favorite in Austin.
Sarkisian has deployed a package specifically made for Manning, acting almost like a running back, and using his running ability to gain 19 yards and a touchdown on four attempts in short-yardage situations. The package has been effective for the Longhorns, but Texas only used it twice in its loss to Georgia where the running backs averaged just 2.5 yards per carry.
Ewers himself has been fine, but far from perfect in these last two contests. Ewers has completed 59% of his passes for 576 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, but according to Pro Football Focus, he has made five turnover-worthy throws between the two contests, meaning the veteran is making costly errors in the passing game.
It’s unlikely there actually will be a change in the guard that Sarkisian has used to ride him to an 11–2 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff, but criticism of Ewers this season has been warranted. He’s just sixth in the Southeastern Conference in passing yards, and his depth of target is the lowest amongst starting SEC quarterbacks.
What should happen next weekend against Clemson is less of a benching of Ewers, but more utilization of Manning. The Texas offense has its strengths, the offensive line is fantastic and junior wide receiver Matthew Golden has been a true bright spot. But, Texas lacks weapons that truly take over a game. Ewers has been an effective game manager all year, it’s why Texas has 11 wins, but Georgia has found a counter in their two wins over the Longhorns.
With Clemson possessing a talented front seven, Sarkisian needs to accept that Manning can be the better quarterback in some situations. Despite outgaining their opponents 847 yards to 380, Texas has scored just three touchdowns in its last two games, one of them coming as a result of Manning’s speed and ability.
Ewers has shown he can create lengthy drives, but it’s becoming clear that Manning should be under center for the final 25 or so yards of drives. Manning’s threat with both his feet and his arm makes him an offensive weapon, which means defensive players have to respect all of the possible play calls in Sarkisian’s arsenal. Texas has struggled to give Ewers third and manageable situations in the red zone, and the veteran is at his worst when forced to make a big play against the blitz or heavy coverage.
Sarkisian is faced with a choice this week, but it’s a simple one from the outside: let Ewers start but be quick to usher in Manning when the field becomes less open. Now, it’s up to the play-caller to decide what to do with the golden boy’s legs, and hopefully arm, when those situations arise.
