Exposed on the Big Stage: ESPN Panel Unpacks Steve Sarkisian’s Costly Quinn Ewers Misstep That May Have Derailed Texas’ National Title Hopes
As the dust settles on the 2024 college football season, conversations are shifting from celebration to scrutiny—especially in Austin. The Texas Longhorns, once poised to end their decade-long title drought, fell just short of a national championship appearance. Now, ESPN analysts are pointing fingers, and the spotlight has landed squarely on head coach Steve Sarkisian and a critical decision involving quarterback Quinn Ewers.
In a recent segment on ESPN’s College Football Final, a panel featuring analysts Joey Galloway, Greg McElroy, and Heather Dinich dissected Texas’ postseason collapse. The consensus? A pivotal misstep in managing Ewers late in the season might have cost the Longhorns their shot at a national title.
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The Decision That Sparked Debate
The controversy centers on Sarkisian’s decision to leave Quinn Ewers in the Big 12 Championship Game despite visible signs of discomfort and decreased efficiency after taking several hard hits. Ewers, who had previously missed time during the regular season due to a shoulder injury, showed signs of limited mobility and arm strength in the second half.
With backup Arch Manning available—highly touted and reportedly healthy—the ESPN panel questioned why Sarkisian didn’t make a temporary or tactical switch. Galloway argued that “it wasn’t about benching Ewers long-term, but giving him a moment to recover, regroup, and avoid further injury. Texas had depth. They didn’t use it.”
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The Ripple Effect
The Longhorns narrowly escaped with a win in the Big 12 title game, but the effort appeared to take a toll. By the time they reached the College Football Playoff semifinal, Ewers was noticeably limited. His timing was off, his deep ball lacked its usual velocity, and Texas’ offense sputtered in key moments.
McElroy pointed out that “Sarkisian’s loyalty is admirable, but at the elite level, you have to make cold decisions. A fresh-arm backup could’ve been the difference in a semifinal decided by a single possession.” Texas lost that playoff game by a mere six points.
The panel also noted that offensive adjustments were minimal despite Ewers’ limitations, putting more pressure on the run game and allowing opposing defenses to stack the box. “Texas had the weapons, but the play-calling didn’t adapt,” said Dinich.
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Sark’s Leadership Under the Microscope
Sarkisian, who has been widely praised for bringing Texas back into national contention, now faces questions about game management and decision-making in pressure moments. While he took responsibility for the outcome postgame, many wonder if a more proactive approach to handling Ewers’ health would have made the difference.
To Sarkisian’s credit, Texas went 12-2 and made their first College Football Playoff appearance—clear signs of progress. But in a season where everything was aligning, the margin between glory and heartbreak was razor-thin.
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Moving Forward
With Ewers expected to declare for the NFL Draft and Arch Manning waiting in the wings, Texas isn’t going anywhere. But if Sarkisian wants to finish the job in 2025, he’ll need to prove he can make the right call—not just for loyalty, but for winning.
Because in championship football, one decision can define everything.
