What if college football had its own narrator, spinning tales of alternate realities? Quinn Ewers never leaves Ohio State for Texas in one such universe, setting off a ripple effect of chaos. Buckle up for a lighthearted dive into the "what could have been" of the college football multiverse.

2022: The Calm Before the Storm

Ohio State:

Not much changes here. Ewers spends 2022 riding the bench behind C.J. Stroud, biding his time and learning Ryan Day's system. Buckeyes fans don't blink because Stroud is shredding defenses like it's a hobby.

Texas:

Meanwhile, down in Austin, Hudson Card secures the starting job. Card struggles with consistency, and the Longhorns endure a five-loss season.

Recap; 2022 remains the same on both ends of the timeline.

2023: Chaos Unleashed

Here's where the fun starts.

Ohio State:

Without Ewers, Kyle McCord is handed the keys. The Buckeyes roll through the season until The Game. McCord throws a heartbreaking interception, costing Ohio State a trip to the College Football Playoff. Fans are left wondering if Ewers could've been the difference.

In this alternate universe, Ewers does lead the Buckeyes. He's more experienced, has a cannon of an arm, and has a much higher ceiling than McCord. Ewers threads the needle in Ann Arbor, Ohio State punches its playoff ticket, and the Buckeyes march to the national title game. Unfortunately for Buckeyes fans, Georgia still proves to be an immovable object. Wait, did I say Georgia? Yes. If Ewers stays in Columbus, the Dawgs hoist the trophy.

Texas:

Back in Austin, without Ewers, things get… messy. Arch Manning's spring-game struggles keep him on the bench, and the Longhorns turn to Maalik Murphy and settle in on a two-QB system that allows Arch to ultimately take over the team. The result? A solid season, but no playoff run. Texas falls to Alabama early and finishes strong with an Orange Bowl victory over Florida State, while UGA moves into the playoff.

Recap: Ohio State makes the Playoff but loses in the final. Texas misses the Playoff but wins a New Year's Six Bowl.

2024: Ewers’ Encore, Arch’s Ascension

Ohio State:

In this reality, Ewers forgoes the NFL draft and stays for another year to try and help the Buckeyes win it all and Will Howard transfers to Miami (FL). With Jeremiah Smith as his go-to target, Ewers torches defenses and keeps Ohio State in the national title conversation, even beating Oregon at home in an early-season thriller. The Buckeyes beat Michigan and secure the No. 5 seed in the College Football Playoff after falling in the Big 10 title game to Oregon (we still give Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks one of these wins).

Texas:

Without Ewers, it's Arch time in Austin. The young quarterback shows flashes of brilliance that made him the nation's top QB recruit. Texas faces an uphill battle in the SEC Championship against Georgia, falling short in a close game. The Longhorns show flashes of uspide and brilliance all season long and Manning brings a certain swagger and national attention to the table that no other QB can match. UT enters the CFB playoff as the No. 8 seed and wins the first two games.

Recap: Both teams still make the playoffs but flip-flop seeds and advance to play against each other in the Cotton Bowl.

Arch vs. Quinn

So here we are in the actual 2024 College Football Playoff, but with a twist. Instead of Texas's Quinn Ewers facing Ohio State's Will Howard, we get the ultimate "what if" scenario: Ewers leads a battle-tested Ohio State team, while Manning brings the X-factor of youth and raw talent.

The Cotton Bowl becomes a showcase for Arch Manning’s grit and determination. Late in the fourth quarter, with the score locked at 31, Manning takes matters into his own hands.

Facing third-and-goal from the 6-yard line, Manning fakes a handoff, rolls to his right, and tucks the ball to power through two defenders, diving into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.

Ewers and Ohio State have one last shot to respond, but Ewers' final pass is tipped and intercepted by Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron, sealing the victory. The Longhorns punch their ticket to the CFB Championship, while Ewers’ college career ends in heartbreak.