"Has become the Tim Tebow in this equation": CFB insider drops eye-catching remark on Arch Manning amid Quinn Ewers' injury woes

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has had a season where sometimes he was a backup quarterback, but at other times, he was the main weapon on offense for the Longhorns.

This weekend, the Longhorns face the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game. This is a game that Manning is not expected to start, but is to play a role. The role in question may be that of a mobile quarterback, as likely starter Quinn Ewers is still recovering from an ankle injury that has heavily affected his mobility.

The notion of a mobile Arch Manning has caused college football insider Andy Staples to make a comparison between the Longhorns quarterback and a college football great.

"Arch Manning has become the Tim Tebow in this equation," he said. (1:12)

In the last few weeks, the Longhorns have played two quarterbacks with both Ewers and Manning sharing the role at times. But, while Ewers was able to throw the ball, Manning covered what he couldn't do on his feet and spent a lot of his time running.

This was notablely seen during the Longhorns' win over the Texas A&M Aggies last weekend, when Manning took over briefly for the struggling Ewers and found the endzone for a 15-yard rushing touchdown to open the scoring.

Manning's rushing ability shares many comparisons with what Tim Tebow did in his first season with the Florida Gators in 2006. He spent that season as the backup quarterback, but when he was in the game, he was able to use his rushing ability to add to the Gators' ground game.

During the 2006 season, Tebow recorded 469 rushing yards and scored eight touchdowns. This ability was something that Tebow continued throughout his time with the Florida Gators and he eventually won two national championships with the program.

If Manning really is like Tim Tebow in this situation, then it should end in the same way, with the Texas Longhorns being crowned national champions.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart on Arch Manning

But, it is not only the media who is noticing Arch Manning's ability to run with the ball, Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart has also noticed this. He spoke about the threat Manning can bring in a press conference before the SEC Championship Game.

"We've practiced knowing Arch can be in there. Arch is not just a quarterback run guy. He's a really good athlete and can take off and run at any time, which is the toughest kind to defend. I'd rather have a guy that only runs instead of can do both. He certainly can do both. He opens up the playbook in terms of the things he can do with his feet."

While Arch Manning will not start the game, he is likely to make sporadic appearances. Most of these are likely to be running plays to compensate for what Quinn Ewers can't do.

But, it may not be, and the general uncertainty of this makes Arch Manning one of Texas' best weapons in this game.