College quarterbacks can be a bit of a diva, and the Texas Longhorns are currently caught in a quarterback drama. The tension between Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning is heating up, and with the playoffs looming, head coach Steve Sarkisian has his work cut out for him. He’s got to keep the team focused and navigate this quarterback controversy like a pro.

Well, the competition for the QB role is normal in every college football program, and many football programs encourage healthy competition between them. Now, Texas HC Steve Sarkisian receives praise from former Arizona State assistant coach Adam Breneman on his Instagram for managing the complex quarterback Ewers-Manning situation at the Longhorns. “One of the toughest things for a head coach to do is manage the egos of their quarterbacks, especially when they have to make a quarterback change or when one of them isn’t playing well.”

Well, managing the egos of quarterbacks is difficult when making changes or when one player underperforms during a crucial period. Noting that, Breneman added, “Just imagine that the complexities of that dynamic inside their locker room.” Now, Sarkisian’s job is even more challenging when you have two talented quarterbacks like Ewers and Manning competing for the starting position. But Sarkisian’s masterful handling of his QB room situation earned praise from Breneman; as he put it, “The ability to get both quarterbacks to play at their best reflects positively on Sarkisian’s coaching capabilities.”

This 2024 season, both of Coach Sark’s quarterbacks have had to step up and show what they’ve got. Despite dealing with an injury, Quinn Ewers managed to play in five games, keeping his Heisman hopes alive while Sark gave him the time he needed to recover and reconnect with the team. Meanwhile, young Arch Manning also got his moments, showing his skills in four games, including a brief takeover for Ewers in the second quarter during Texas’s loss to No. 5 Georgia. With Texas sitting at a strong 7-1 record, both QBs have played an equally important role in the team’s success.

The Longhorns head coach’s ability to effectively manage both superstar caliber quarterback Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning demonstrates his ability to coach exceptionally well when things are at stake. 

Ewers and Manning: Key to Steve Sarkisian’s playoff aspirations

It’s almost that time of the season when each game matters for ranked teams. Every team expecting and praying for other teams above them on ranking to lose, so they grab the tickets to playoffs. The Texas Longhorns are no exception to this, who are currently ranked 6th below the undefeated Miami Hurricanes. The road to the playoffs for the Longhorns now requires them to win every game to secure a spot. And for that, the Texas quarterback situation needs resolution soon.

Well, switching players late in the season could disrupt chemistry in the locker room. It’s not too late to believe Longhorn could win the national championship if they lock in and focus on the season. Interestingly, both QBs, Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, have the potential to lead their team to the playoffs. However, who’s the better fit here? It’s up to coach Sarkisian to make that call!

The college football playoff will now have 12 teams, based on the most recent College Football Playoff rankings. The champion teams will be based on the highest-ranking teams from each conference. The seven highest-ranked teams remaining will round out the 12-team format. The top four teams will receive a first-round bye to the quarterfinals. And if the Longhorns win every game and beat the Aggies in the last match of the season, they could make the top four.

It’s college football, so anything can happen! With the new playoff format, we’re seeing many ranked programs face off, making January even more exciting and fun. What do you think?