At this point, there’s only two logical explanations for Arch Manning’s role in the Texas offense.

Either coach Steve Sarkisian is throwing Manning out there for nothing more than a temporary change-up, something to get opponents “burning chalk” on their sideline, as he likes to say. Maybe he just wants the Arch Fan Club to see their hero and pipe down.

Or, Sarkisian is setting an epic trap, waiting for just the right moment when opponents will be lulled to sleep. And that’s when Manning will run a quick, pop pass to tight end Gunnar Helm on the goal line for a surprise touchdown.

Quinn Ewers is the undisputed leader who is confident in leading the Horns to the national championship promised land. But it takes a village. A starring cameo role seems tailor-made for Manning and the Longhorns.

The moment must be right. The waiting is the hardest part.

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Against Clemson, Manning was used near the goal line, but it felt like a throwaway gimmick. He ran three times for no yards, and Manning was essentially forgotten. Perhaps just the way Sarkisian likes it. It probably didn't help that Manning fumbled a fourth-and-1 play late as Texas went for the kill.

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The reality is Manning’s dazzling 15-yard touchdown run against Texas A&M in the regular-season finale warped everyone’s expectations.

Fans expected Sarkisian to use Manning more in the SEC championship game against Georgia, and he really didn’t. It was two plays total, and one of those was a trick play where the center snapped it through Manning’s legs to the running back.

That proved costly as the Horns could have used more quarterback run against the Dawgs. Ewers was hobbled with an ankle injury, and Georgia Tech’s quarterback ran all over the Georgia defense just one week prior.

Ewers told reporters last week he was done wearing the ankle brace that he used against A&M and Georgia. He did not wear it during warm-ups before the Clemson game, but Ewers then went back into the locker room and put the brace on.

“It’s not going to hurt,” Ewers said afterward, “so I just decided to put it on.”

Ewers threw for 202 yards and rushed four times for minus-3 yards. He’s simply not a running quarterback even when fully healthy, though.

That’s why fans and national pundits thought Sarkisian would use Manning more.

During the season, Sarkisian was asked about installing something specific into a game plan for a second quarterback. This was after Ewers returned from a strained oblique injury. Essentially, would you build out something for Manning since he played so well for 2 1/2 games in Ewers’ place? The answer was no.

Perhaps Sarkisian is sticking to his guns now. Maybe there is nothing more for Manning to do.

But that would run counter to Sarkisian’s creativity and his desire to maximize his team’s offensive potential.

Running Manning off tackle in throwaway plays against Georgia and Clemson seems way off brand for Sarkisian. But faking a handoff and rising up to hit Helm, Matthew Golden or Ryan Wingo for a first down or a touchdown? Now you’re talking.

Maybe that happens in the CFP semifinals. Or better yet, the national championship game on Jan. 20.

It’s just… when would it happen? How would it happen?

The waiting is the hardest part.