Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea offers a surprising comment regarding Texas’ quarterback situation.

As Week 8 of the college football season approached, the then-No. 1 Texas Longhorns seemed to be the most well-rounded team. With both their offense and defense ranked in the top 10, they had convincingly defeated all their opponents. Additionally, ESPN’s FPI indicated they had the highest likelihood of winning the championship, making it seem like nothing could stop them.

However, No. 5 Georgia quickly disproved that notion by taking a commanding 23-0 lead in the first half, prompting Texas coach Steve Sarkisian to replace third-year starter Quinn Ewers with Arch Manning. While the crowd was excited to see Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning struggled against Georgia’s fierce defense. Ewers returned in the second half, and Sarkisian confirmed he would be the starter moving forward, but Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea mentioned on Tuesday that they anticipate both quarterbacks will see playing time.

NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 19: Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea watches from the sideline during a game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Ball State Cardinals, October 19, 2024 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“I believe this offensive system remains consistent regardless of who is behind center,” Lea stated at his Tuesday press conference. “Therefore, we are preparing to defend the system. Since both quarterbacks have played, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see both of them. They have injury concerns, and you just never know.”

While he didn’t explicitly say he expects Ewers to be benched, it’s noteworthy that Texas’ opponents are openly acknowledging their focus on Manning. The key distinction between Ewers and Manning is Manning’s greater mobility and his tendency to push the ball downfield. Although Ewers has an injury history, Sarkisian confirmed he is healthy after missing a couple of games this season. Lea’s remarks indicate that while Texas might not have a quarterback controversy at the moment, teams perceive it as a situation to monitor. Sarkisian’s decision to pull Ewers against Georgia has led fans, analysts, and rival teams to speculate on how long Ewers will retain his starting role before a more permanent change occurs.

If Ewers plays at the level he was before his oblique injury, this situation will likely settle down. However, if he struggles, there will be calls for Manning, and opposing teams will certainly be prepared for that possibility. This weekend, the No. 5 Longhorns will travel to Nashville to face the No. 25 Commodores in a matchup that has become far more compelling than many anticipated earlier in the season.