Longhorns Backup QB vs. Rice: Arch Manning or Maalik Murphy?

Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian isn't naming a backup to Quinn Ewers just yet ahead of Saturday's season opener against the Rice Owls.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 11 Texas Longhorns will open up their 2023 season on Saturday at home against the Rice Owls, as the third year under coach Steve Sarkisian begins.

Though fans haven't gotten a chance to see this season's Longhorns team against an opponent other then themselves yet, it's likely that Texas won't find itself in a nail-biting affair against Rice. Per DraftKings, the Longhorns are 35-point favorites and are just two years removed from their 58-0 win over the Owls during the 2021 season.

This means that the team's backups and depth guys will be set to get an ample amount of playing time. Naturally, this conversation causes all eyes to shift toward quarterbacks Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning, who could both see the field on Saturday.

But coach Steve Sarkisian isn't naming a backup to Quinn Ewers just yet. If he has, he's just not telling anyone.

"Who do we feel like come Thursday is the guy that earned that opportunity to be the backup this week, that’ll be who the backup is," Sarkisian said Monday.

Based on their respective performance's in the spring game and the overall experience comparison, Murphy had seemed like runaway favorite to be the QB2 behind Ewers.

He finished that Orange-White game going 9 of 13 passing for 165 yards and one touchdown, which was highlighted by a beautiful 79-yard touchdown to freshman receiver Johntay Cook.

Murphy being the QB2 still remains the most likely outcome, but Sarkisian may not be wanting to show his cards just yet for a game where the backups will likely get tons of reps.

However, Sark has noted in recent weeks how much Manning has improved since the spring.

Luckily, fans won't have to wait longer to see the answer for themselves. Texas and Rice kickoff on Saturday from DKR at 2:30 p.m. CT.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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