On the first day of the year, Quinn Ewers had the perfect opportunity to silence his critics. Throughout the season there had been growing calls to replace Ewers with Arch Manning as Texas’ starting QB. So, when the Longhorns took to the field against Arizona State in the Peach on Wednesday, all eyes were on Ewers and how he would repay head coach Steve Sarkisian’s faith. However, Sarkisian was almost left to regret his decision.

Texas gave up a 16-point fourth-quarter lead against Arizona State but was still leading by a score of 24-16. Ewers had the chance to put the game to bed, but he threw a floater over the middle of the field and it was snatched off by Javan Robinson. The Sun Devils then drove 79 yards down the field to score and tie the game after a 2-point conversion. Though the Longhorns prevailed in OT to set up a Cotton Bowl meeting with Ohio State, Ewers did himself no favors.

Texas had a worrying run game against Arizona and Ewers struggled to get things going. That is something they need to address against OSU. Against ASU, the Longhorns posted a measly 53 rushing yards. That’s a far cry from the domination they showed against Clemson earlier this season. ASU’s D-line, which ranks 33rd in the country in run defense, exposed Texas. If they couldn’t pull it off there against ASU, what’s gonna go down when Ohio State rolls in with their stacked front seven?

On January 3, College football analyst and former All-American tight-end Adam Breneman didn’t hold back on his show, Football Power Hour, when he dissected Texas’ shaky performance against ASU. “For Texas, that was not good enough in the fourth quarter. Inexcusable, really is the only way to put it. If Texas doesn’t figure out how to run the ball against Ohio State, they’re going to get housed. They’ll get run off the field by Ohio State. Just ask Oregon.” 

Ohio State dominated the No.1 ranked team in the country in the Rose Bowl. The Ducks were straight-up embarrassed by Ohio State, putting up negative 23 rushing yards. By half-time OSU was up by 34-8, and eventually won 41-21.

Ohio State’s defense isn’t playing any games. They lead the nation in scoring defense (10.9 points per game) and total defense (241.1 yards per game). And if you think they’re easy to crack on the ground, think again—they’re giving up just 61.75 rushing yards per game. Sarkisian will have a choice to make.

Sure, Ewers balled out against ASU—322 passing yards, three TDs, and a walk-off game-winning drive in double OT. But when it came to running, it was a mess: six carries for one yard. For the season? Ewers sitting at 52 carries for negative 64 yards. This isn’t a good look.

Ewers will need more than clutch throws to beat OSU’s defense and he’ll need wheels to do it. But given how things went down against Arizona, it will be a tough ask. But Arch Manning? He has got wheels for days. Probably inherited from his Grandpa Manning.

Arch Manning is a dual-threat nightmare. He threw for 939 yards and nine TDs this season, added 107 rushing yards, and scored 4 touchdowns on the ground.

And let’s not forget that legendary 4th-and-2 play against Texas A&M, where Arch went full beast mode, bulldozing two DBs for a 15-yard score. Against Ohio State’s blitz-heavy pressure, Manning might just be the secret sauce Texas needs. But will Sarkisian give him the baton?

Ewers’s stock has dwindled in his fourth year of college football. Injuries and a lack of mobility meant many mock drafts didn’t include his name for the first round. PFF projects him as the No. 7 QB prospect in a draft that lacks depth at the position. He is ranked the No. 119 prospect overall, which would make him a mid-fourth-round pick.

Sarkisian benched Ewers during Texas’ loss to Georgia in October and had Manning replace him. However, by the end of the game, Ewers was back on the field. Even though the prospect of Manning starting in the Cotton Bowl is enticing, it could mean thrusting a youngster with just two career starts into the spotlight on a big stage.

While it is possible that Sarkisian will stick with Ewers for the Cotton Bowl, Manning’s time at Texas is coming according to Chris Simms.

Chris Simms puts Arch Manning as the starting QB for 2025

Former Texas QB, Chris Simms appeared on the “Dan Patrick Show” to talk about the Longhorns and their quarterback situation. Simms thinks that come the 2025 season, Manning will be the starting QB of the Longhorns.

He also mentioned that Ewers will have to step up his game if he wants to be seen as an early draft pick. “I think he’s(Ewers) going to have to show people maybe another year of high quality football play, but I expect the Arch Manning era to start after this season’s over,” Simms said.

The Cotton Bowl clash will be a good indicator of where Ewers and possibly Manning’s future lies. A strong showing by Ewers against the dominating OSU will go a long way in restoring his reputation. As for Manning, he would have to make the most of any opportunity that comes his way. If Sarkisian offers him a start, it could well be an indicator that Simms’s words will turn true next season.