As the No. 5 Texas Longhorns prepare for their first conference road trip of the season against No. 25 Vanderbilt, head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed confidence in quarterback Quinn Ewers after a strong week of practice. Sarkisian praised Ewers’ focus and execution, suggesting the junior signal-caller is in top form heading into a pivotal SEC matchup.
“I thought Quinn’s had a really good week of work. I think he’s really dialed into the game plan. I think he’s playing with a lot of confidence,” Sarkisian noted during his weekly media availability. “I’m looking forward to him getting another opportunity as a competitor to go back out and compete at a high level.”
Texas is looking to rebound after a disappointing 30-15 home loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, a result that has left the Longhorns in the spotlight. Sarkisian acknowledged as much on Wednesday, emphasizing that his team “has something to prove” following the setback.
Sarkisian on his Thursday availability; “One of the beauties in sports is you get to do it again.”
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) October 24, 2024
Saturday’s 3:15 p.m. CT matchup in Nashville will be no easy task, as Vanderbilt enters on a three-game win streak, including a signature 40-35 victory over then-No. 1 Alabama. Commodores head coach Clark Lea made it clear this week that his team is preparing for Texas’ entire offensive system, which may include backup quarterback Arch Manning, a nod to the recent history of injuries at the position.
“I believe that this is a system on offense that doesn’t change dramatically with respect to who’s taking the snaps,” Lea said Tuesday. “So, we’re preparing to defend the system. Obviously, both quarterbacks have played, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see both. They’ve got injury history there, and you just never know.”
While Sarkisian remains committed to Ewers as the starter, Lea’s comments highlights the growing attention being placed on Manning’s potential role. Manning, the highly-touted sophomore, brings a more mobile dynamic to the field, a contrast to Ewers’ pocket-passing style. It’s clear that Manning’s athleticism and ability to push the ball vertically have drawn intrigue from opposing defenses, even as Ewers continues to lead the offense.
Tuesday, November 5th, will be a night all college football fans have circled on their calendars, as the College Football Playoff Committee unveils its first rankings of the season.
This game in Nashville carries significant weight for the Longhorns in the SEC standings. A win could propel Texas further in their quest for a College Football Playoff spot, while a loss could deal a serious blow to their postseason hopes.
Though the LSU-Texas A&M showdown may grab more attention, the Longhorns’ performance will be closely watched as they aim to rebound from their defeat to Georgia and keep their CFP ambitions alive in their first year in the Southeastern Conference.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: High Stakes in Nashville as Ewers, Longhorns look to rebound against surging Vanderbilt
