CFB insider explains "unintentional benefits" of having Arch Manning as Steve Sarkisian faces tough call ahead of Texas A&M clash

The Texas quarterback situation this season has been complicated with Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Ewers started the season as one of the Heisman favorites, but an injury derailed his chances and forced him to miss a few games. In relief, backup Arch Manning played very well. However, Ewers was given the job back when he got healthy.

Since Ewers returned, Manning entered a few games because the offense was not playing well in front of Ewers. However, Manning has been unable to replicate his success from when he was starting because he has not been in the flow.

On "The Hard Count" on Wednesday, CFB insider J.D. PicKell spoke about what he thinks coach Steve Sarkisian should do against Texas A&M.

"With Quinn Ewers struggling, the unintentional benefit of having Arch Manning get some reps against A&M is the idea that you're building in a little bit more of that emergency break for the Texas offense," he said. (49:27) "Let's just say that Texas gets in there and they are down 17-0 at half against A&M. Say a big part of that is the front seven is getting after Quinn Ewers.

Say his ankle hurts and he can't escape the rush. If you don't do something different, you'll have some struggles. If you have the Arch Manning packages worked in throughout this game, in a perfect world, you aren't throwing Arch Manning cold into this game. In a perfect world he's into the flow of things. It's a more seamless transtion."

PicKell continued:

"So, you don't do this for that. But it is an unintentional benefit for if things go crazy. If for whatever reasons, it's a lot easier to tap in the guy that's gotten reps throughout the game."

J.D. PicKell believes giving Arch Manning reps throughout the game is better for Texas as a whole

Although PicKell does not think Ewers should lose the starting job, he recognizes some problems in his game. Ewers is not as mobile as Manning for an ankle injury. Thus, the offense is limited in some ways.

So, PicKell thinks giving Manning a few reps throughout the game to find his groove will help the Longhorns overall. That way, if Ewers needs to come out of the game because of poor play, Manning will have a better chance of playing well.