
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Arch Manning remains the starting quarterback for the upcoming game against Ole Miss, while acknowledging Manning must improve his performance after recent struggles, including a two-interception game versus Oklahoma and a costly fumble in the loss to Florida.
AI-generated summary
Arch Manning, a highly recruited quarterback, started the 2025 season as Texas' starter but has faced scrutiny after inconsistent performances, including turnovers in key games against Oklahoma and Florida, contributing to the Longhorns' offensive struggles in SEC play.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is sticking with Arch Manning as his starting quarterback ahead of Saturday's showdown with seventh-ranked Ole Miss, but he acknowledged the leash on the former five-star could be shortened this season.
"Arch can play better for us; he's our starter, but I need to see a better version of Arch Manning," Sarkisian said Monday. "Like I need to see a better version of a lot of guys on our offensive football team right now. We need to see a better version of him this week."
After previous reports of backup KJ Lacey seeing an "uptick" in first-team reps in practice this week after Manning's struggles over the weekend against Florida, Sarkisian said Lacey takes first-team reps every week.
Sarkisian said after Saturday's 27-24 loss to the Gators that "everything" would be evaluated throughout his program following the Longhorns' recent two-game skid that torched their top-10 ranking.
This comes after Sarkisian defended Manning after his two-interception, fourth-quarter performance during a loss to Oklahoma this month and said his quarterback always receives unfair criticism.
The tune has changed a bit after Manning lost his first career home game over the weekend thanks to a costly late-game fumble.
"I just felt like we didn't play good offensive football, and we're not playing great offensive football right now," Sarkisian said.
Manning has regressed this season from a consistency standpoint when compared to the final six starts of the 2025 campaign, his first as a starter. Manning has thrown for 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, four of those giveaways coming against Power Four competition.
The attention to Manning seems to have played a part in the Longhorns' lack of cohesion offensively, from execution to play-calling from Sarkisian. Texas ranks 12th in the SEC in total offense after seven games, 13th in rushing offense and 15th in explosive plays — stunning numbers when you consider the overall talent on the Longhorns' roster.
Manning's response to Sarkisian's evaluation remarks was swift and honest.
"Yeah, I mean everyone's evaluated every week. That's how it is when you go to a school like this with elite players. Everyone's gotta get better, and that starts with me," he said.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Arch Manning will start at quarterback for Texas against Ole Miss.
Very likely · Within days
Arch Manning's performance will be closely evaluated this week.
Very likely · Within days

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