Is Arch Manning playing today? Explaining Texas' starting QB situation vs. Ohio State in CFP semifinals – Sporting News

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Daniel Mader
Texas is just one of four teams still alive for the National Championship, and the Longhorns are due for their toughest matchup yet in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Coming off a thrilling 39-31 win over Arizona State, which took two overtime periods, Texas will take on the bracket’s eighth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday night. 
The Longhorns’ passing game continues to be a strength, as it totaled 322 yards in the air against the Sun Devils in the playoff’s quarterfinals. However, against a stingy Ohio State defense, could the young Arch Manning see some playing time?
Here’s what you need to know about Manning’s status for the Cotton Bowl.
MORE: Picks against the spread for the College Football Playoff semifinals
Manning continues to rank behind Quinn Ewers on Texas’ depth chart. That’s been the case throughout the season — Manning has seen the field in various circumstances but never as the full-time starter.
In Texas’ playoff wins over Arizona State and Clemson, Ewers has totaled 524 passing yards, four touchdown passes and two interceptions. Ewers, who’s started at Texas for three seasons now, has been the top choice at quarterback for head coach Steve Sarkisian.
However, Manning has still been used occasionally in two ways: as Ewers’ replacement when he’s unavailable, and as a gadget player. Ewers missed two games earlier this season with an injury, allowing Manning to step in and notch the first two starts of his collegiate career.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS
With Ewers healthy but the Longhorns’ offense struggling vs. Georgia in October, Sarkisian allowed Manning to take some snaps under center, but the redshirt freshman completed just three of his six passes for 19 yards. Manning also had three carries against Clemson in the opening round of the CFP, but they went for no gain.
Occasionally, Sarkisian has shown a willingness to involve Manning, especially when Ewers isn’t at his best. Manning will likely get his opportunity to start for the Longhorns as soon as next season, but with Ewers already leading the squad to a pair of playoff wins, Sarkisian will continue giving his third-year starter the QB1 reps until he’s forced to do otherwise.
MORE: Why Texas' Michael Taaffe received criticism for controversial hit vs. Arizona State
Quinn Ewers is the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. Friday’s matchup vs. the Buckeyes will represent somewhat of a revenge opportunity for Ewers as he spent his first collegiate season at Ohio State before transferring to Texas before the 2022 season.
Ewers is in his third year of starting for Texas, and he’s often showcased the talent that made him a five-star recruit. With just two more wins, he would lead the Longhorns to their first National Championship since 2005. 
While Ewers is expected to opt for the NFL draft after Texas’ season ends, allowing Manning to step into the QB1 role, he has yet to officially announce his decision. 
SN’s PLAYOFF HQ: Live CFP scores | Updated CFP bracket | Full CFP schedule
Although he did miss some time with an injury, Ewers has totaled 3,189 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions and two rushing scores this season. The Longhorns have lost just two games, both to Georgia. 
Manning, the nephew of legendary NFL quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning, is QB2 for Sarkisian. In limited action, he’s accumulated 939 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, two interceptions and four rushing scores.
The only other quarterback to throw a pass for the Longhorns this season is Owens, a freshman who threw two passes for 19 yards against UTSA in September.
Daniel Mader joined Sporting News as an editorial intern in 2024 following his graduation from Penn State University. Previously, he covered Penn State, high school and local sports beats for NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. He grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.

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