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Texas Longhorns fans might have noticed a recurring theme in Coach Steve Sarkisian's post-game talks, as he frequently emphasizes his commitment to starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. While public for a QB isn't unusual, sports analyst Joel Klatt suggests that Sarkisian's continued reinforcement of Ewers' position as Texas' leading quarterback feels increasingly forced, a move he describes as "over the top."
During his weekly sports show, Klatt dissected Texas' recent win against Vanderbilt, questioning why Sarkisian appears so adamant about backing Ewers in a manner that borders on the excessive. Klatt's observations come just a week after discussions reignited around Ewers' performance, with fans and analysts alike speculating about a potential future starter in backup QB Arch Manning.
"It feels like Coach Sark is pressing hard to show his faith in Ewers," Klatt observed. "Almost like he's forcing the point. And it feels forced, especially when you consider how ready they might be to make a switch if things go south." Sarkisian's enthusiastic defense of Ewers, according to Klatt, has stirred up further interest, possibly reflecting underlying uncertainty in the program's confidence in Ewers as their top choice.
This scrutiny intensified after Ewers' performance in Saturday's tight 27-24 victory at Vanderbilt, where he completed 27 of 37 es (73%), racking up 288 yards and three touchdowns. Despite these solid stats, Ewers threw two interceptions, marking his first multi-pick game of the season and his fifth game with at least one interception. For Klatt, these moments of inconsistency explain Sarkisian's unwavering, almost insistent for Ewers - a stance aimed at maintaining team and fan morale.
Klatt its Ewers has had his struggles of late
Klatt pointed to similar instances where Ewers displayed flashes of brilliance but struggled with decision-making under pressure, citing key games against formidable teams like Georgia, Oklahoma, and Washington. While Klatt emphasized his respect for Ewers' talent, he speculated that Sarkisian's vocal reassurance might reflect an awareness of Ewers' occasional lapses, which have, at times, opened the door to talks about Manning as a promising alternative.
Even with Ewers' status as QB1 firmly reiterated by Sarkisian, the continuous emphasis on his role has caught Klatt's attention. As he put it, "Coach Sark's praise feels just a bit too constant - like he's trying to convince everyone, maybe even himself, that Ewers is the guy."
For now, Sarkisian appears committed to Ewers leading Texas forward. Still, Klatt suggests it might be wise for fans to "keep this one in their back pocket" should the conversation around the Longhorns' QB position resurface. The subtle tension in the background, fueled by Manning's presence, could be a story worth watching as the season progresses.