Insider Reveals Why Texas QB Arch Manning Could Play in First Game of the Year

Texas Longhorns fans may not have to wait long to see Arch Manning take the field this season.

The former five-star recruit remains behind Quinn Ewers on the depth chart for the Longhorns, but USA Today's Trey Luerssen predicted that Manning will get plenty of chances to see the field over the course of the 2024 season.

The first opportunity could come in the opening weekend, the insider predicted. Luerssen shared his ranking of the most likely games for Manning to get some playing time this year, putting the August 31 game against the Colorado State Rams as the No. 2 option.

Luerssen noted that the August heat in Texas could lead coach Steve Sarkisian to find some relief for Ewers.

"CSU is the first game of the year. It will be hot," Luerssen wrote. "Manning might play an early series or two to give Ewers a quick rest. Texas should also be winning big by the 4th quarter and the game could be handed over to Manning to finish out."

If Manning doesn't take any snaps against the Rams, Longhorns fans may not have to wait much longer to see him. Luerssen predicted he could get more significant playing time in the team's September 21 game against the UL Monroe Warhawks, a team that Texas beat 52-10 the last time they met in 2022.

Related: Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian Provides Cryptic Arch Manning Update