Texas is using Arch Manning at quarterback after the offense got off to a slow start against Georgia

After a shaky offensive start in prime time against Georgia, Texas used backup quarterback Arch Manning in place of starter Quinn Ewers, trailing 20-0 late in the second quarter.

The top-ranked Longhorns came up empty on their first six drives of the game and managed just 29 yards of total offense. Ewers, playing in his second game back after missing two weeks with an oblique injury, was just 6 of 12 for 17 yards through the air with two turnovers: a strip sack that set up Georgia's first touchdown drive at the Texas 13, and an interception in his own territory that led to another Bulldogs touchdown.

Manning's first series against the Bulldogs' defense wasn't much better. The Longhorns earned a first down on a penalty after Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams grabbed Manning's facemask on a third-down tackle, but were forced to punt three plays later.

Arch, Cooper Manning's 19-year-old son, represents the next generation of Manning family football royalty. His grandfather Archie played at Ole Miss in the 1960s and played for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. His uncles Peyton and Eli each won two Super Bowls in the NFL after successful college careers at Tennessee and Ole Miss, respectively.

Manning led Texas to easy victories over Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State in Ewers' absence.

What's wrong with Texas' offense?

Ewers seemed lost out there, and the Texas offense produced absolutely nothing from the start, totaling 15 yards on the first 23 plays. It's hard to blame everything on Ewers since the Longhorns couldn't run or block the ball in the first half, but Ewers' inability to evade pressure or get the ball away quickly enough hurt the offense. Ewers hasn't been sharp in either of his last two games since returning from the oblique injury.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has stood steadfastly behind Ewers since Manning's arrival on campus, and for good reason considering how well Ewers was playing leading up to his injury. When asked this week what it would take to make a quarterback change in the game, Sarkisian rejected that premise, saying, “I'm not even going to answer that.” I don't know what the question is. Next question.” — Chris Vannini

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(Photo: Tim Warner/Getty Images)