The Quinn Ewers vs. Arch Manning debate has been a Texas-sized battle all season, fueling endless fan discussions and dominating headlines. Despite Manning’s promise, HC Steve Sarkisian persisted with Ewers, right until the Cotton Bowl defeat at the hands of the Buckeyes. But after two years of waiting in line, it looks like next season the Longhorns fans will finally get to see Manning take the No.1 QB spot. However, how would he fare under Steve Sarkisian, after the HC’s play-calling blunder at the death against OSU is up for debate.

Manning is unofficially the next big thing for Texas. The QB carrying the legendary football blood grew up watching Texas play. Spending two years steady behind the QB1 isn’t easy, but Manning did it without any complaint. Now, with Ewers likely to turn pro or transfer in what would be his fifth year in college, everything is in place for Manning to take over.

While the clamor to see Manning as Texas’ QB1 is definitely there, fans should tread with caution after how things unfolded for Ewers under Sarkisian with the Cotton Bowl defeat a striking example of the head coach’s frailties. While many were quick to blame Ewers for his shortcomings this season, according many analysts Sarkisian has been a part of the problem.

After a crushing 28-14 loss to the Buckeyes, Kartar Baughan and four other analysts looked back on what went wrong. ‘‘I don’t think Quinn was all that terrible in this game. He wasn’t great. I don’t think he was the reason they necessarily were awful. They couldn’t get the run game going at all. I mean, Ohio State’s D line was getting whatever they wanted,” said Karter Baughan on his podcast KarterKast on Monday.

Reality check for those who slept on and put the entire blame on a single QB. Ewers had his flaws in the season. He tremendously suffered against Georgia, and a few genes remain largely unforgettable. His clock is also ticking, but that doesn’t mean you can just blame him for the rest of the offensive and defensive woes.

The panel then dissected the questionable play by Sarkisian in the final moments of the Cotton Bowl that cost Texas a chance to level the game. “Sarkisian got cute in the biggest moment,” Baughan said as his fellow panelist chimed in to add, “The number one thing I will never understand is you got one yard to go or whatever it was, and throwing the ball backwards. Going backwards at all will never make sense to me.”

The Longhorns were in the game with less than three minutes left. Down by a touchdown they drove down to the Ohio State one-yard line. They had four plays to go and everything pointed at Texas going forward for a game-tying score. Yet, they failed to capitalize. On the first play, they ran a dive with their heavy set, and running back Jerrick Gibson was stifled.

On the second play, Sarkisian made the baffling call to a toss sweep to running back Quintrevion Wisner to the short side of the field. He tried to get around the edge but was tackled for a six-yard loss. Running sideways when a spot in the national championship game is up for grabs is as absurd a decision as they come. USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer said, “Sark got cute and it wasn’t pretty.” Indeed it wasn’t and it made Ewers look bad.

According to the analysts, Sarkisian’s play-calling and the inconsistent run game have hampered the team and made life difficult for Ewers. Connor Sparrow mentioned, “That’s the story of their season a little bit. It’s just sort of like having the talent and having everything there to be able to compete and win a National Championship and then kind of getting in their own way and not doing it.”

Against the Buckeyes, Ewers completed 23 of 39 passes for 283 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception and helped his team get back in the game. But in the closing stages of the game when his former Ohio teammate Jack Sawyer sacked him, forced a fumble, and then completed a stunning 83 yards for a touchdown. Yet, the moment with four plays near the one-yard line could have been his moment to shine, but Sarkisian had other plans. So what does it mean for Arch Manning, who is set to take the mantle from Ewers next season?

Manning will be in his third season of college football in 2025. This season he played in just three full games, entering one after Ewers was injured. In 10 games, he threw for 939 yards and nine touchdowns, while also rushing for 100 yards and four touchdowns. He will have the chance to add these numbers next season, but it would be far from easy given how Ewers was feeling the pressure under Sarkisian.

The HC’s tactics at times have left people scratching their heads and Manning’s task wouldn’t be made easier by the fact that two Longhorns stars are also leaving the program. Offensive tackle Kelvin Banks and running back Jaydon Blue will both be entering the NFL Draft. Banks established himself as one of the best left tackles in college football and his absence will hurt Manning since he offered protection on his blindside. Blue was seen as a prolific asset in both the run game and passing game and will leave Sarkisian searching for answers.

Despite these challenges, Ben Hammond backed Manning to come good for the Longhorns. ”But I do think they’re gonna have. They’re I think next year Arch is going to set the world on fire and they’re going to go. Oh no, we were playing our second-best quarterback. Whether they would have won with Arch or not, that’s always going to be their brain as a what-if,” Hammond chimed in.

Manning has already watched Ewers fall short during the season and took his notes. He possesses all the qualities and the experience to lead the team as a signal caller. He can eventually be that playmaker guy who can pull the team out when everyone gives up. Even RJ Young had a very clear picture of Texas in his mind, with Arch Manning sitting at the helm.

RJ Young foresees Arch Manning’s Texas in 2025

Steve Sarkisian and the entire locker room know what they can get out of the 19-year-old. Addressing his talents, which can be a game changer, RJ Younge noted Manning is living up to the hype. His eyesight can solve a lot of problems in the field. He was incredible in the red zone situations late in the season. However, Arch hadn’t yet bloomed to his full potential.

RJ Young feels, as a head coach, Sarkisian should put more value on Manning, and he should be equally excited about seeing him play, take charge, and flip the page in due course. Ever since the wonder boy stepped into the mix for an injured Ewers during Texas’s 56-7 win over UTSA and started two next games, the nation couldn’t wait to get more of him.

”Arch Manning is one of the reasons I think Texas, like Oregon, is gonna make another run at the national championship in 2025,” the analyst concluded. But can a national title still be in the cards with Arch Manning under center? That’s the million-dollar question in Austin right now.