The Heisman Trophy hype for Quinn Ewers has picked up plenty of steam since Texas manhandled Michigan 31-12 this past Saturday.

Not that the Texas quarterback has even noticed, as Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian gleefully pointed out during his weekly Zoom conference Thursday.

“That's why I think he'll handle it really well," Sarkisian said about the heightened attention. “(Ewers) just doesn't consume himself with what other people think. He’s more focused on what he needs to do to perform. He's more focused on how he can support his teammates and be the best quarterback, leader and teammate that he can be.”

He's been plenty good through the first two weeks while bettering his Las Vegas odds to win the Heisman Trophy. Through two games leading No. 3 Texas (2-0), Ewers has thrown for 506 yards and six touchdowns on 69.8% passing with one interception. Per BetMGM, the oddsmakers have Ewers atop the Heisman rankings with +500 betting odds.

According to the current BetMGM futures market, Ewers has an implied 16.7% chance to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy. Miami quarterback Cam Ward now sits in second place behind Ewers at +700 with a 12.5% chance to win.

Ewers opened up the season at +800, which tied him for first with Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (currently +900), Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (currently +900), and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (currently +1100).

All of which is greeted with a shrug by both Ewers and Sarkisian.

“He's not one of those guys that is on social media all day long,” Sarkisian said. “(Ewers) doesn't carry his phone around everywhere that he goes. He's focused on what does he need to do to put himself in the best position to be successful, and that goes all the way to his nutrition, his diet, his sleep patterns, who he associates himself with. His preparation, his work ethic, his understanding of the game plan. … I think that consumes his time more than what any odds or polls or whatever people might think.”

SCOUTING REPORT: Breaking down Texas football vs. UTSA

Defensive rotation just as important as in opener

A week after playing in fall-like weather at Michigan, the Longhorns return to the heat and humidity of Central Texas. And they’ll face a UTSA team that loves tempo, as evident by the 80 plays it ran against Texas State last week.

According to Sarkisian, that means lots of players and lots of rotations, especially on defense.

“We're going to play a lot of players,” he said. “We're going to play DBs, we'll play our linebackers and we'll play our defensive front. You know, it'll be a similar format to kind of how we had to play that first game against Colorado State, so we've got to do a really nice job of rotating our players and having that rotation tight and on point.”

More: Should Texas football schedule games against in-state foes? Here's what Steve Sarkisian thinks

Tackling from DBs a strong point so far

Sarkisian said that “if I could highlight four or five things from the season that I've been impressed with so far through two weeks,” his secondary’s ability to tackle may be at the top of the list.

He specifically credited his safety rotation of Derek Williams Jr., Andrew Mukuba, Michael Taaffe and Jelani McDonald for their tackling but also cited his cornerbacks.

“We’re not just getting them on the ground,” Sarkisian said. “We're striking people. I mean, we're making hard, tough tackles in the open field. I also think it's the style of player that we have, too. These guys are really athletic people. We try to recruit guys that have really good range, really good flexibility, have cover ability, but yet have the ability to tackle.

"And I think that's showing up for us right now. These guys are tackling at a high level.”

Vernon Broughton, Gunnar Helm draw praise

Sarkisian and his staff take a lot of pride in developing players, and tight end Gunnar Helm and defensive tackle Vernon Broughton seem like the latest breakout players during their senior seasons.

Helm leads the team with nine catches and 140 yards receiving after entering the season with just 14 career receptions, and Broughton has arguably been the most consistent interior lineman in his first year as a starter. According to Sarkisian, both players have paid the dues needed to develop into starters and potential NFL players.

“We live in this world right now of instant gratification (where) everybody comes into our program, and they want to start on day one,” Sarkisian said. “There's work to be done. And just because you're not a frontline starter in year one or even in year two, doesn't mean your career is a wash.

"You can continue to work at your craft and then reap the benefits of it in the back end. And Gunnar isn't the only one in that boat. Vernon had the best game he's had as a Longhorn Saturday.”

DJ Campbell, Cole Hutson to continue rotation at RG

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. That’s the message Sarkisian had about his rotation at right guard between juniors DJ Campbell and Cole Hutson. The two have rotated at the position since midway through the 2022 season, and Sarkisian said that won’t change anytime soon for a unit coming off a dominant showing against Michigan.

Every starter on the offensive line played all 71 snaps against Michigan except for Campbell, who had 46 snaps compared to 25 for Hutson.

“I just think we're honest with them, (and) I don't think anybody's surprised,” Sarkisian said. “I think as a staff, we try to really paint a picture for our players of how we're going to try to play them in each game, and they earn that playing time predicated on the way they practice and prepare and doing things the right way. And, hey, we're fortunate to have both DJ and Cole. They've both been good players for us over the years, and it's a healthy competition. They're always pulling for one another.”

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Quinn Ewers Heisman hype won't be an issue, Texas coach says