Texas will have a tough decision on its hands as it looks to knock off Oklahoma in a highly-anticipated battle between the two sides.
Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian will have to wonder whether or not it is wise to start star quarterback Arch Manning or if Texas will be better suited to have Quinn Ewers under center instead. However, the choice is clear, if former quarterback Joel Klatt is to be believed.
During an appearance on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd, Klatt explained how Texas’ ability to have Ewers and his leadership will be key to downing the Sooners. In particular, Klatt called Ewers’ experience similar to having a veteran quarterback on the team.
“Texas is a much better team than Oklahoma, and they’re going to get [Quinn] Ewers back, they can run the football, they’ve got the best offensive line in football, they’re veteran, they’re old,” the 42-year-old said. “The last couple of years, you know what’s rewarding in college football more than anything? Veteran talent.”
And that is why Sarkisian will be turning to Ewers to lead the way against Oklahoma. It is being reported that Ewers will indeed start in place of Manning, despite the fact that the latter has played well the last two weeks .
Sarkisian admitted that Manning was pushed to his limits as he took over for Ewers while his peer was out with an injury.
“I did want to make sure that we were getting him completions,” Sarkisian told reporters . “There were some nice plays he made, especially on third-down conversions. And there was a couple of other ones I thought he could have operated the plays even better.
"So, that’s our job; to push him to go do that. But, I was proud of him. I thought he really responded coming off of last week’s game. And what a luxury to have a player of his caliber as our backup quarterback."
As a backup quarterback, Manning has done his due diligence in doing what he can to learn from Ewers when it is his turn to lead the way. Speaking to reporters after Texas’ win last week, Manning shared what he soaked up from his veteran teammate.
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“Yeah, just kind of treat it the same thing and just go out there and have fun,” he said. “Quinn keeps everything laid back, and he's been great to me. Just lean on him for advice. But yeah, that's about it."
Even with how the young Manning has played, many are still holding out their reservations. Former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart believes Texas has a better chance of winning with Ewers starting than Manning.
"I'm not sure they can,” Leinart said on the Ryan Russillo podcast . “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.”
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