Last week, Arch Manning finally got onto the field as a Texas Longhorn for the first time. Texas blew out Texas Tech in the final week of the regular season, and this week, Quinn Ewers is dominating Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship game.
Texas took a 35-14 lead into halftime and it could’ve been even bigger. Ewers was a big reason for the Longhorn’s success, with 354 yards and four touchdown passes in one half of football. Ewers still has a chance to extend the lead, and that could mean another chance to see Manning, but could it be the last?
Everyone expected Manning to happily sit on the bench for the 2023 season, but would he be content to back up Ewers in 2024 if the incumbent quarterback returns to Austin? It’s looking more and more like Ewers will be back, especially with reports like this one:
Ewers could be the 1st QB taken in the 2025 draft if he stays at Texas. 😤 https://t.co/unS0F4VX7U pic.twitter.com/AQDrh4jNAC
— theScore (@theScore) December 2, 2023
With the Big 12 title hardly in doubt, Texas fans and fans of quarterback-needy programs, began to doubt Manning’s future, and his chance to compete for the starting job on Steve Sarkisian’s team.
Arch Manning might as well just enter the transfer portal at halftime because he is never beating out Ewers… #Big12Championship
— JTL (@TigerbloodJL) December 2, 2023
Arch won't see field until ewers leaves.
— Keith Coleman (@frawwg_1202) December 2, 2023
Wondering how long Arch Manning is QB2 for Texas... Seems like Ewers will remain QB1 for unforeseeable future...I wouldn't be surprised if Arch enters transfer portal soon
— Grant Howe (@KSUWildcatsMHK) December 2, 2023
There’s a chance that Ewers started to feel the pressure after seeing Manning play against Texas Tech. The freshman only went 2/5 for 30 yards with three rushes for seven yards, but he certainly impressed closing out the blowout win. Could that have been a small motivating factor for Ewers to play his best since beating Alabama in Week 2?
Quinn saw that Arch performance last week and said let me lock in
— 🅴 (@TheBongynator) December 2, 2023
The transfer portal officially opens on December 4, and Maalik Murphy Texas’s backup quarterback, who made two starts while Ewers missed time with a shoulder injury, is expected to leave the crowded QB room for a starting job elsewhere. However, Manning’s intentions are unclear.
For now, it’s nothing more than fan speculation, but after this performance, one thing is for sure, if Ewers comes back to Texas, he won’t have to look over his shoulder regardless of who is QB2.
Late hit by Oklahoma State in Big 12 Championship game: No flag thrown
Oklahoma State hasn't been able to stop Texas all day in the Big 12 title game, except with a late hit on the sidelines, but the refs didn't make the call.