3 big overreactions after Texas's SEC title game loss v. UGA

Arch Manning is not the answer in the CFP

Quarterback Quinn Ewers came out of the gates firing for the Longhorns in the first half, as part of over 200 passing yards and 16 completions with Sarkisian's scripted offense. Despite passing for over 200 yards and a dozen first downs in the first half, Texas could only get six points on the scoreboard before halftime.

The fact of the matter was that Ewers and the Longhorns were not nearly good enough when it came time to put up critical points in the red zone, especially in the first half. Texas also couldn't make the most of its opportunities in the second half in the red zone, which were more limited than in the game's first 30 minutes against Georgia.

In the past two games, Texas is averaging a little under two points per offensive possession that crosses the 50-yard line into the opponent's territory.

Ewers was just 2-of-5 for 10 passing yards and two turnover-worthy plays in the red zone for Texas's offense in the SEC title game.

Texas needs its third-year starting quarterback, who has nearly three dozen career starts in college, for the Longhorns to be much better in clutch time than he's been against Georgia this season. Ewers also had similar struggles on the big stage for Texas last season in the College Football Playoff semifinal loss to the Washington Huskies.

I don't think Sarkisian will even think about turning to redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning instead of Ewers to lead the offense this postseason. Sarkisian said there are other ways to get Manning more involved in the offense in the Playoff.

"Again, it's the second time we've played him now where we've had to become a little bit one-dimensional, where we're relying a little too much on the passing game. There may be some things there where Arch can provide some things in the run game, which we did there at the start of overtime, and maybe we should've gone to that a little earlier there in the second half to utilize them on first and second downs from a run game standpoint."

- Steve Sarkisian on Arch Manning

The one area where the Longhorns could utilize Manning more is to add another dimension and added threat in separate designed packages on offense to get the ground game going.

Manning has taken a few offensive snaps for the Longhorns in the past two games against Georgia and Texas A&M in the regular season finale a couple of weeks ago, resulting in a couple of first downs and one touchdown.