Arch Manning has officially arrived as the starting quarterback at the University of Texas, and the buzz surrounding him is louder than ever. After stepping in for Quinn Ewers during Saturday’s game, Manning’s Heisman Trophy odds surged dramatically, landing him in the top-10 of the Heisman race. His first significant on-field action in relief of Ewers turned heads, and one particularly jaw-dropping touchdown pass from the redshirt freshman became the centerpiece of an impressive debut performance.
Ewers, who entered the weekend as the Heisman frontrunner with +500 odds, was playing a stellar game before suffering an unexpected oblique/abdomen injury midway through the second quarter. He had completed 14 of 16 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns before the injury sidelined him. After being evaluated, Ewers returned to the sidelines in street clothes, his status uncertain moving forward.
With Ewers out, Texas turned to Arch Manning, the highly-touted freshman from the legendary Manning football family. Manning immediately seized the opportunity, completing nine of his 12 pass attempts for 185 yards and four touchdowns. He also showcased his mobility, rushing for 53 yards and adding another score on the ground. His first pass after entering the game went for a touchdown, and his back-shoulder throw for a score, captured from multiple angles, quickly went viral, setting social media on fire.
Fans and analysts alike marveled at the precision and poise Manning displayed under pressure.
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The Longhorns find themselves in a unique position moving forward. With upcoming games against Louisiana Monroe and Mississippi State, both of which are expected to be manageable matchups, Texas has a chance to give Ewers more time to recover. After these two games, Texas has a bye week before the highly-anticipated Red River Showdown against Oklahoma on October 12. Head coach Steve Sarkisian may opt to rest Ewers for the next few weeks, allowing Manning to continue his rise while keeping Ewers fresh for the rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl. Given Manning’s breakout performance, there’s little pressure to rush Ewers back before he’s fully healed.
Manning’s performance has quickly reshaped the Heisman conversation. Just days before the game, Manning’s odds to win the Heisman Trophy sat at a distant +15000. Following his stellar outing, his odds skyrocketed to +1600, making him a legitimate contender. This dramatic shift reflects the growing belief that Manning could be the future of Texas football, possibly even sooner than expected.
Here’s a look at the updated Heisman odds after Manning’s breakout:
- Cam Ward +550
- Jaxson Dart +700
- Jalen Milroe +700
- Nico Iamaleava +850
- Dillon Gabriel +900
- Carson Beck +1200
- Arch Manning +1600
- Will Howard +2000
- Ashton Jeanty +2000
- Miller Moss +2000
- Travis Hunter +3500
For those betting on Arch Manning to take home the Heisman, it’s a bet on both his talent and the possibility that Quinn Ewers may not return to the field soon. If Manning continues to shine and leads Texas on an undefeated or one-loss run to the College Football Playoff, it’s entirely plausible that the young quarterback could follow in the footsteps of his famous uncles and be invited to New York City in December for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Whether Sarkisian sticks with Manning or reverts to Ewers once he’s healthy, one thing is clear: Texas has a dynamic future ahead at quarterback.
The football world will be watching closely to see how the Longhorns manage their QB situation as they push toward their championship aspirations.
