Kirk Herbstreit delivers verdict on Texas QB1 conundrum as Arch Manning emerges as a realistic option amid Quinn Ewers injury

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was hobbled in the second half of the Longhorns' 31-14 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in Week 13. Despite his injury, Ewers still put in a stellar performance and managed 191 yards and two touchdowns.

Ewers was listed on the team's injury report ahead of the Longhorns' pivotal clash against the Texas A&M Aggies in Week 14. The winner of the game will play in the SEC championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs.

On "College GameDay", ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit delivered his opinion on whether Arch Manning should replace Ewers due to his injury.

“If Quinn Ewers is healthy, this is his team. There’s no issue. If you talk to Sark, it doesn’t even really get brought up. Now, if the ankle doesn’t hold up, if he’s limping, then that’s a different story. Then obviously you’ve got to go to Arch Manning. With his ability to run, even their offense would change a bit with Arch in there.

“This is an offense, if talk to Sark, they’re coming into this game completely thinking that Quinn Ewers is going to be their quarterback. Their attack and their plan and how they want to try to move the ball is with Quinn Ewers.”

Herbstreit further detailed the circumstances where Manning would replace Ewers in Saturday's game.

“I think the only time you would see Arch Manning come in is if that ankle is just not holding up. And then they would, obviously, like any other backup quarterback have to go to him. But yeah, Arch Manning, for obvious reasons, creates a lot of a lot of interest there in Bristol.”

Ewers set to start over Manning

During an appearance on SportsCenter Thursday, ESPN insider Pete Thamel revealed that despite his injury, Ewers is still expected to start the game against the Texas A&M Aggies over Manning.

"I was told it's a low-grade ankle sprain for Quinn Ewers that is going to be lingering into that Texas A&M game," Thamel said. "Sources told me today that Quinn Ewers is still slated to start for the Longhorns in College Station on Saturday night. I've been told he's rehabbing feverishly. ... So the reality for Ewers is that he won't be 100 percent on Saturday, but he's working to be the best version of himself."

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian noted his preference for having one QB1 in the past. It will be interesting to see if he makes a switch during the game against Texas A&M if Ewers struggles or appears clearly limited by his ankle injury.