Matt Leinart Reveals if Arch Manning Can Lead Texas to a National Championship This Season

Arch Manning performed much better in his second start as the Texas Longhorns' starting quarterback than in his first game. Manning completed 26-of-31 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns. He also contributed 33 rushing yards and scored one touchdown on the ground.

Manning has kept Texas afloat after starting quarterback Quinn Ewers went down with an injury in the first half of Texas' game against UTSA. Ewers still hasn't returned to action with what was deemed a strained oblique.

Manning's performance has raised doubts about whether he can lead Texas to a national championship if Ewers is unable to return this season. Former Heisman Trophy winner and current college football analyst for Fox Sports Matt Leinart revealed on "The Ryen Russillo Podcast" that he doesn't believe Manning can get the job done this season.

"I'm not sure they can," Leinart said. "Make no mistake about it: Quinn Ewers will be responsible for them winning a national championship when it's all said and done. I'm not sure Arch is ready, and maybe he can get there, but I think that's Quinn's team."

Leinart believes that Manning still has a lot of room to grow. He mentioned Manning's first career start against Louisiana Monroe, in which he threw two interceptions, as an example of his freshman mistakes. However, he still thinks that with Manning leading the team, Texas could potentially make it to the national championship game, although he doesn't see them winning it.

Leinart also emphasized that there is no quarterback controversy, stating that Texas is Ewers' team and describing Ewers as a "baller."

Longhorns fans are awaiting Ewers' return from injury. Head coach Steve Sarkisian revealed that Ewers practiced the week before Texas' last game but did not play. Texas has a BYE week before facing the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs.

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