Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning? Texas has a quarterback decision to make

1. The Texas Football QB Decision

It doesn't matter if Arch Manning plays well. How cool would it look if he did it again.

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

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

Then played like no other Manning in the game since the 1960s. Like a rock star.

Suddenly, Manning was the only thing keeping Ewers from the Heisman Trophy. Hyperbole? probably

But we're not that far from forcing Texas coach Steve Sarkisian to decide between two quarterbacks. Ewers is listed as “day-to-day,” according to Sarkisian, and the injury is basically, wait and see. Like all oblique injuries.

These injuries are some of the most difficult to assess and treat. Every injury is different (Sarkisian said Ewers' injury was an “abdominal strain”), and everyone heals differently.

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

He wasn't allowed to play again until late October, and during that time, a spunky backup named Stetson Bennett took over and eventually won two consecutive national titles.

This of course leads us to the Manning problem.

2. Oklahoma and Georgia await

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

Rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries is poor at best. From hamstring injuries to quadriceps and biceps and pectoral strains, they all live in a similar, frustrating, week-to-week state of clearance — and all have high instances of re-injury without sustained rest.

This uncertainty leads to the most important two-game games of the season for Texas: Oklahoma (October 12) and Georgia (October 19). The same Oklahoma that has won two of its last three over Texas and the same Georgia and its (increase in week) SEC record 28 straight SEC wins.

And now, the Manning problem.

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

So what? Once Stetson replaced Bennett Daniels — and played at a higher level — Georgia coach Kirby Smart had no chance of going back to Daniels. He rode hot hands.

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 in mid-October are seriously damaged.

But Sarkeesian doesn't seem worried about that.

“We expose (Manning) so much that I don't feel like I'm wearing handcuffs when Arch is in the game,” he said.

Bowl Projection: Tennessee goes to playoff, Kansas State advances

Bracketology: The SEC enters league play in a playoff field dominated by the Big Ten

3. Manning problem, conclusion

We all knew this was coming. It's anecdotal evidence of the tenuous nature of the most important position on the field and the rise of quarterback injuries.

And then there's Ewers' injury history.

Two years ago, he could not play three and a half matches due to a collarbone injury. Last year, he missed two games with an injury to his throwing shoulder.

In fact, Ewers only played one full season in high school. On track record alone, it was only a matter of time before Manning got his chance.

Sarkeesian went from the perfect quarterback room — a Heisman Trophy front-runner and an uber-talented backup willing to wait his turn — to an interesting potential quarterback conflict. He may ultimately have to make a decision between the quarterback who took him to the CFP last season and was playing at a high level before the injury, or the quarterback who just wanted a chance and got it.

Then took the moment.

It's a delicious dilemma. A blessing and a curse.

4. Michigan Football: The Consequences of Bad Decisions

So QB Davis Warren is struggling and the offense is predictable, and Michigan is 99th in the nation in scoring (23.3 ppg) and a hangover-like sensation.

That's not surprising to anyone who hasn't paid attention to the Michigan roster.

New coach Sharon Moore had an opportunity to sign a quarterback from the transfer portal this offseason, but instead ended up with a quarterback room that had a combined 37 pass attempts at Michigan. Three games into the season, Warren — who had 14 attempts over the previous three seasons — was already benched.

I know this will shock everyone, but a career backup given a starting job at a major program has two touchdown passes and six interceptions in three games.

Not surprisingly then, Alex Orji is Michigan's new starter. The same Orji who became a situational run-game quarterback since arriving at Michigan in 2022.

The pass offense is 121st in Saturday's Big Ten opener against No. 12 Southern California after playing two games in the group of five (Fresno State and Arkansas State), and four under Moore en route to the Wolverines losing their second game.

After two losses in the previous 30 under former coach Jim Harbaugh.

5. The Weekly Five: Georgia found a way

Georgia vs. Kentucky has won the last five games in Lexington under Kirby Smart, by a combined 42 points.

2024: 13-12, Kentucky had the ball at midfield with four minutes to play.

2022: 16-6, Kentucky doesn't score until midway through the fourth quarter.

2020: 14-3, Kentucky's final four drives: fumble, punt, downs, end of game.

2018: 34-17, only series bye.

2016: 27-24, Georgia made a game-winning field goal as time expired.

6. Scout's View: Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr.

An NFL scout analyzes a draft-eligible player. This week: Bowling Green TE Harold Fanning Jr. (The scout requested anonymity to protect the team's draft preparation.)

“His length and catch radius are impressive. He is listed at (6-foot-4) 230 pounds, but plays much bigger. He's not an in-line tight end, but he's not being blown off the point of attack, either. A sneaky good run blocker. Watch the Penn State game. His athleticism is uncanny, and he will fit perfectly in the vertical offense in our league.”

7. Power Play: Alabama Rising

This week's College Football Playoff poll, and a big one.

1. Texas: Even an injury to the starting quarterback doesn't slow the pace.

2. Ohio State: Two cupcake games to begin, one opening week and later at Marshall. Ian.

3. Miami: They opened the upper deck at Raymond James Stadium for South Florida, expecting a huge crowd with Miami coming.

4. Oklahoma State: Big 12 opener against Utah, and first big test for QB Alan Bowman.

5. Alabama: Two weeks of preparation for Georgia, which the Tide has beaten in eight of the last nine meetings by an average of 11.3 ppg.

6. Georgia: If motivated, this is the best team in the country.

7. Ole Miss: It looks almost perfect overall.

8. Tennessee: Nothing like coach Josh Heupel returning to alma mater Oklahoma with the nation's hottest offense.

9. Southern California: It all feels and looks good. Let's take a look at Michigan's tough environment.

10. Missouri: The game of hide and seek (Boston College and Vanderbilt) does not travel to elite teams.

11. Oregon: Ducks reset against rival Oregon State, still have questions on O-line.

12. Memphis: The Tigers stood out physically at Florida State, and QB Seth Hennigan is a difference maker.

8. Mail tie: The new Pac-12

Matt: I'm thrilled that the Pac-12 is finally fighting back and trying to survive. Where does the convention go for future additions? — Jeff Donald, Tucson, Arizona.

Jeff:

The early possessions of four Mountain West teams (Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, San Diego State) did not include UNLV's rapidly emerging television property draw.

Problem: UNLV is still hoping to get an offer from the Big 12.

There are politics involved, and the state of Nevada doesn't want UNLV to leave Nevada any There's also the value aspect of UNLV's conference: Will it add value to the Big 12, and will Fox and ESPN pay the Big 12 to add another program that hasn't historically drawn good numbers — but is a growing market for prospects?

Let's say the Pac-12 goes to nine teams (the preferred model), leaving three spots available. The financially prudent move would be to add another time zone for television expansion (West Coast, Mountain and Central Time Zones) and that means Memphis and Tulane.

Could do a lot worse than UNLV, Memphis and Tulane to complete the Pac-12 league.

9. The numbers game: Josh Heupel and the quarterback

Forget the looming story that Heupel is still upset about being kicked out of his alma mater (how could he not?), and focus on the reaction. Because after shooting, that's all that matters in sports or life.

How did you respond?

In the 10 years since Heupel was fired as Oklahoma offensive coordinator, his quarterbacks at Utah State (OC/QB coach), Missouri (OC/QB coach), UCF and Tennessee have a combined TD/INT ratio – are you ready? – 288/67.

If you exclude this current partial season (8 TD, 3 INT), Heupel's quarterback has averaged 31 TD and 7 INT a season since his sack at Oklahoma. And just for good measure: Heupel's quarterbacks have also rushed for 57 touchdowns over the past 10 seasons.

That's 345 total touchdowns in 74 games, an average of 4.6 a game.

10. Last word: Florida State's slide

If anyone believes beyond a doubt that Florida State is rolling off the mat this week, consider this:

California, this week's opponent in Tallahassee, is giving up 288.7 yards and 12.3 points per game. The Bears lead the nation in turnovers forced (10), and already have a Power Five road win (Auburn) in a tough environment.

Meanwhile, I leave you Florida State QB DJ Uiagalelei: 1 TD, 2 INT, completed 57 percent of his passes, and had 23 carries for -14 yards.