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There has been plenty of conversation regarding the Texas football program’s quarterback position following the injury to starting signal-caller Quinn Ewers, who is expected to miss several weeks with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder.
Of course, there have been calls for highly-touted recruit Arch Manning to get the call, but Sarkisian has been content in bringing his five-star freshman along slowly while Maalik Murphy serves as the team’s primary backup.
But who will get the call this weekend at home against BYU?
Sarkisian shed some light on how the team is approaching the Week 9 game when speaking to the media on Tuesday.
Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said QBs Arch Manning and Maalik Murphy "will both get a ton of reps" this week in preparation for BYU 👀
(via @TexasLonghorns) pic.twitter.com/zAQeKOjqkI
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) October 24, 2023
“We’ll go through the week and Arch and Maalik will both get a ton of reps,” Sarkisian told reporters.
“If the game was being played today, Maalik would start the game and again, Arch will be ready to go. And like I said before, I have a ton of confidence in Arch. A couple of weeks ago he had a fantastic practice, and so I’m really encouraged by that. I think coach Milwee has done a great job with both those guys, so I think we’re fortunate.”
Considering how the depth chart has played out leading up to and throughout the season, it is likely that Murphy will get the start with Manning as the backup. And if the No. 7 Longhorns start putting g a beatdown on the Cougars, we could see a healthy dose of Manning down the stretch.
However things play out on Saturday afternoon, it’s going to be interesting to see how they continue to unfold as Texas looks to re-establish itself firmly in the College Football Playoff pictures.
Kickoff between the Longhorns and Cougars at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
