Arch Manning soars up Heisman oddsboard after impressive Week 3 showing

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A backup quarterback is rarely listed on the preseason Heisman oddsboard. But it's justified when that backup is the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, one of the highest-valued NIL athletes, and plays for Texas.

Arch Manning has been waiting in the shadows at Texas as Quinn Ewers' backup. Ewers left Saturday's game against UTSA with an abdominal injury, leading to Manning earning meaningful snaps for the first time in his collegiate career. His five-touchdown performance and 223 passing yards with a 75% completion rate led to an odds surge.

Manning moved from +15000 to +1600 to win the Heisman in two hours. He didn't rank in the top 40 on the oddsboard before the season and now has the seventh-best odds. Ewers went from the favorite to longer odds than Manning at +1800.

Ewers emerged as one of the nation's best quarterbacks over the last two years, leading Texas to the College Football Playoff last season and a preseason top-three ranking entering this campaign. Ewers had the third-best preseason odds to win the Heisman but emerged as the favorite last week after an impressive opening two weeks, including throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Michigan.

Ewers' injury isn't expected to be season-ending, and he's listed as week-to-week. However, Manning's expected to make his first career start against UL Monroe on Saturday. Beyond that, Manning's performance and Ewers' injury will determine who starts under center when SEC play begins the following week.

Bettors are eager to throw on the latest Manning in a long lineage of great quarterbacks. He's attracted the fourth-most Heisman tickets since Saturday at theScore Bet and ESPN Bet. Texas has also received the most bets and handle (money wagered) to win the national championship. Since Saturday, 43% of the money wagered on the national title market came in on the Longhorns. Texas backers either aren't worried about Ewers' injury or believe the Longhorns won't miss a beat with Manning replacing Ewers.

After Texas' dominant 3-0 start and Georgia's scare against Kentucky, the Longhorns moved to No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time since 2008. However, they still trail Georgia and Ohio State as national title favorites.

A midseason quarterback battle could be brewing in Austin, depending on how much time Ewers misses and if Manning continues to shine. Although, Ewers would likely resume his role as the starter upon his return, especially considering how well he was playing to start the season.

Still, Manning can provide a glimpse of what Texas fans should expect next campaign with whatever more opportunity he earns this year while shrinking his Heisman odds in the process.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.