• Ewers struggled mightily towards Georgia: Week 8 proved to be his worst sport but, as he recorded a career-high seven turnover-worthy performs.
• Now is a good time to type out Ewers vs. Arch Manning: Texas’ schedule is favorable over the ultimate month, with not one of the Longhorns’ opponents being ranked within the prime 15 of PFF’s Power Rankings.
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Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
It’s loopy to assume we’re only some weeks faraway from Quinn Ewers being the Heisman Trophy favourite after a dominant Week 2 efficiency towards Michigan. Fast ahead to now, and there is likely to be a legit quarterback controversy at Texas.
The Longhorns’ offense has not regarded as fluid since Ewers returned because the starter, and it begs the query: Where does head coach Steve Sarkisian go from right here?
QUINN EWERS THROWS IT TO GEORGIA 😳
THE DAWGS’ DEFENSE COMES THROUGH WITH THE INTERCEPTION 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wfAZ0kHARZ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 20, 2024
Before Injury vs. After Injury
It wouldn’t be truthful to Ewers to disregard his indirect harm when dissecting his play, as he was prolific early within the season. He was in large management in Texas’ win at Michigan, carving up the Wolverines’ terrific secondary all day with two big-time throws and three touchdowns. We need to keep in mind that that is nonetheless the identical participant who led Texas to the College Football Playoff a yr in the past behind an 86.8 PFF total grade.
Since Week 1, although, Ewers’ passing grade has gone down each single week, together with his worst sport but coming towards Georgia — the place he recorded a career-high seven turnover-worthy performs. Ewers was even benched at one level within the sport for Arch Manning in hopes of making a spark that by no means got here. On the yr, he already has 10 turnover-worthy performs, which is greater than he tallied in all 2023.
Quarterback Competition
Throwing Manning into motion towards the vaunted Bulldog protection whereas down 20 factors was in all probability not the most effective name on the time. That is so much to ask of a 19-year-old who had began solely two video games prior. But, it does make one ponder which quarterback will assist the Longhorns win extra down the stretch.
Ewers has extra expertise and pedigree at this level, however the numbers appear to counsel that Texas performs higher when Manning is underneath middle, and he additionally possesses way more dual-threat capacity than Ewers. On the season, Manning has 117 speeding yards on 9.8 yards per carry, whereas Ewers has 13 speeding yards and has by no means been one to take off fairly often.
How does Texas get again on observe?
Sarkisian has already introduced that Ewers remains to be Texas’ starter going ahead. That’s greater than truthful, as Ewers is the fifth-ranked quarterback on the PFF Big Board and nonetheless oozes NFL potential. But count on there to be a shorter leash if he doesn’t play as much as requirements over the following few weeks.
One wish to see Ewers elevate his PFF total grade again to the 80.0s and restrict his turnover-worthy performs, not to mention giveaways. Texas’ schedule is favorable over the ultimate month, with not one of the Longhorns’ opponents being ranked within the prime 15 of PFF’s Power Rankings. Now is the right time for Ewers to get totally wholesome earlier than postseason play.
Ewers’ adjusted completion proportion is down from final season, as properly. If he can present that his indirect harm is now not affecting his throws, then he must be Texas’ man. But with a nationwide championship in thoughts down in Austin, there isn’t time to waste. Sarkisian might want to make the change to Manning if Ewers’ harm continues to nag and inhibit his play.