Manning can sense the pressure, yet he isn’t running away from it. Instead, he delivered a bold statement for the rest of the Longhorns to hear. If he’s going down, he’s going down swinging. If he’s about to play his final games as QB1 at The Forty Acres, he’ll make them count, playing to the best of his abilities and slinging the rock like there’s no tomorrow. Because there may actually not be.

“I’m gonna die on the hill of letting it rip,” Manning admitted, via Orange Bloods, during a press conference ahead of the Longhorns’ visit to the No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels on Oct. 25. While he vies to turn the page and find his mojo again, Manning understands where Texas’ sudden change is coming from. “I told (Sark) I expect myself to play better. I haven’t put good film on tape for the last five weeks.”

Crazy 2026 season for Manning

It’s been a roller-coaster season for Manning, who went from being the subject of bust-versus-Heisman-favorite debates in the blink of an eye to going from Heisman favorite to bust all over again.

Sarkisian knows better than to believe Manning is as great as either extreme suggests, but it’s clear he’s taking notice of the junior quarterback’s struggles. With Texas’ season heading for the gutters, Sarkisian’s hand won’t tremble as he steers the team in a different direction.

Sarkisian’s job is on the line, too

At the end of the day, Sarkisian wants what’s best for Manning, but his own job is also on the line. He isn’t Manning’s personal development coach; he’s the head coach at the University of Texas in Austin. If Manning is holding the Longhorns back, it’s only right to at least explore what things could look like with another signal-caller under center.

Sarkisian and the Horns know Lacey would also be up for some tough challenges should he be named the starting quarterback, though. In more ways than one, it seems like the decision to give Lacey some looks on offense might be a way for Texas to pull Manning’s ear and expect a strong reaction from the heir to football’s royal quarterback family.

Whether it pays off or not, only time will tell, and the future of the Longhorns in the 2026 NCAA football season will depend on that.

Key takeaways

• Steve Sarkisian plans to increase KJ Lacey’s workload while Arch Manning remains starter.
• Arch Manning vowed to keep “letting it rip” before facing the Ole Miss Rebels.
• Arch Manning acknowledged he has not put good film on tape for five weeks.

“We’re not playing good offensive football right now, so everything is going to be evaluated,” Sarkisian revealed his thoughts during a press conference when asked whether he would make changes at the quarterback position.

The outlook remains uncertain, especially with the Ole Miss Rebels standing in Texas’ way next weekend. Can Manning finally turn things around and reestablish himself as a leading contender?

Another turbulent afternoon for Manning

Arch Manning and No. 7 Texas suffered a brutal 27–24 upset at home against the Gators, marking another frustrating afternoon for the sophomore quarterback. While Manning posted a decent box-score line—completing 14 of 20 passes (70%) for 173 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions—the Gators’ defense completely disrupted his rhythm.

Florida brought constant pressure, taking Manning down for 5 sacks and holding Texas to a miserable 2-for-10 mark on third downs. The absolute dagger came with just over two minutes remaining and Texas driving down 27–24, when Manning was stripped on Florida’s fifth sack of the game, coughing up a game-sealing fumble that closed the door on any comeback hopes.

Beyond the Rebels

Looking ahead past their October 24 matchup against Ole Miss, the Longhorns face a brutal, high-stakes stretch to close out their SEC schedule. First, Texas welcomes the Mississippi State Bulldogs to Austin on October 31 for a late-October conference battle, before hitting the road for a hostile night environment against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field on November 7.

Shortly after, the slate culminates with one of the most intense road trips in college football as they head into Death Valley to square off against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 14.

Key takeaways

• Steve Sarkisian evaluating options after Texas Longhorns suffered back-to-back losses.
• Arch Manning and Texas suffered a 27–24 upset against the Florida Gators.
• Texas faces the Ole Miss Rebels next weekend on October 24.

Some weeks ago, Manning was dubbed the best thing since sliced bread. Now, the media and the public are calling him a “nepo baby.” That’s the way today’s sports landscape is, for better or worse. And just as Texas‘ No. 1 ranking in the NCAA is gone, so is Manning’s “future franchise quarterback” label, at least until his next great game.

Sarkisian is having none of the current discourse around college football, and he made that clear with a bold statement about Manning and how the narrative would be different if the name on the back of his jersey weren’t Manning.

“If you took the name off the back of his jersey and you said here’s Joe Smith playing quarterback at the University of Texas, we’d be praising the guy,” Sarkisian admitted, via Tyler Horka of Inside Texas.

Arch Manning vies to bounce back

The 2026 Red River Rivalry was a tale of a thousand stories. Momentum shifted constantly as both sides made great and horrible plays. In the end, Oklahoma won it with a field goal, but the coin could just as easily have landed on the side of the school south of the frontier river.

Coming off his first bump in the road of the 2026 college football season, Manning didn’t make much of the defeat in Dallas, Texas, though he did promise to bounce back.

“All losses hurt. But it’s about how you respond. You’re not going to win every game in life or in football. I don’t think anyone’s ever won every game. But you can respond well. And that’s what we’re going to do,” Manning said during a press conference on Monday, per Horka.

Manning’s stats in Red River Rivalry

Making his second—and likely last—career appearance in the Red River Rivalry, Manning couldn’t keep his perfect record at Cotton Bowl. Last season, Manning finished with 21 completions for 166 yards and a touchdown against the Sooners. He also put up 34 yards on the ground in Texas’ 23-6 victory over Oklahoma.

In 2026, Manning registered 19 completions for 260 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, including the costly one with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Key takeaways

• Steve Sarkisian defended Arch Manning, stating criticism stems from his famous last name.
• Arch Manning promised Texas will respond well after losing to the Oklahoma Sooners.
• Arch Manning threw for 260 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in the loss.

“I thought there was a level of confidence, consistency, and rhythm he was in when he was throwing the ball. We’ve got to continue to run the ball better so it’s not all on his shoulders,” Sarkisian said to the press.

Manning himself revealed during a press conference where he needs to make adjustments to his game: “I gotta win on first and second down to make third down easier. Can’t be loose with the ball.”

Manning’s performance against the Sooners

Arch Manning had a proper roller-coaster afternoon in Texas’s 27–24 loss to unranked Oklahoma. On paper, his final box score looked plenty productive—he completed 19 of 31 passes (61.3%) for 260 yards and 3 touchdowns, keeping the Longhorns in the fight with big-time throws downfield.

However, the game turned on two brutal fourth-quarter turnovers. A costly float ball was returned 42 yards for a Sooners pick-six, and with just 19 seconds left in a tied game, another intercepted pass handed Oklahoma the field position needed for a walk-off field goal.

It was a tale of two halves for Manning, showcasing his high-level talent while proving how thin the margin for error is in high-stakes rivalry matchups.

What’s next for Texas?

The Texas Longhorns are preparing for a three-game homestand at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Up next, they host the Florida Gators on October 17, 2026, followed by a matchup against the Ole Miss Rebels on October 24, 2026. Finally, they will face the Mississippi State Bulldogs at home on October 31, 2026.

Key takeaways

• Steve Sarkisian emphasized that Texas must improve its running game to support Arch Manning.
• Arch Manning threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns in a 27–24 loss.
• Texas will host Florida Gators on October 17 during a three-game homestand.

“I would like for [Manning] to be smarter when he runs,” Sarkisian said during his press conference, via On Texas Football reporter CJ Vogel. Sarkisian still had a lot of praise of what Manning can do on the ground, and it may be a big factor against No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

“[Arch Manning] doesn’t play the position like a robot, he uses his legs to his advantage, but he doesn’t use his legs all of the time. Using those at opportune times is beneficial for him and for us,” Sarkisian said.

Following the statement win over Ohio State, expectations were high for Manning and Texas against UTSA at home. However, the Longhorns’ quarterback and the rest of the offense looked a step off their A-game. The Horns had no turnovers, but came awfully close several times. Manning finished the night with a 30.7 QB Rating, but perhaps the lowlight of the game was a play in which he scrambled for a first down on a third-and-one situation.

Close call for Manning

After picking up the first down, Manning showed no regard for his health and ran right into trouble, where he was sandwiched by two defenders. His helmet popped up and off his head, putting him in a very compromising position. Most likely, that was the play in Sarkisian’s mind when he ordered Arch to be smart with his legs.

Against the Roadrunners, the heir to football’s royal quarterback family got away with his misjudged decision. Against Tennessee, another SEC opponent, or a powerhouse across college football, he may not enjoy similar luck, and that’s the last thing Sarkisian and the Longhorns need in 2026.

The Volunteers are second among SEC programs in sacks made this season (13, only behind LSU’s 14). With the Vols getting to opposing quarterbacks as often and efficiently as they do, Manning can’t take any more unnecessary hits, especially not in the open field.

Arch Manning in Knoxville

Although it’s become routine for Manning, the national spotlight will be fixed upon him on Saturday in Knoxville. Arch will play at Neyland Stadium, where his uncle Peyton Manning became a legend, for the first time in his college football career. Ahead of such a special, hair-standing, nerves-wracking game, Sarkisian had some great piece of advice for his talented signal-caller.

“I think that it’s important for him to not try to be something that doesn’t best suit him. I want him to be him, to be Arch Manning. I don’t want him to be Archie, Peyton, or Eli. I don’t want him to be Colt McCoy or Vince Young. I want him to be Arch Manning, and Arch Manning is plenty good enough for us to put us in a position to win.”

Such a statement from his head coach would be extremely useful and reassuring on any given week in the NCAA schedule. However, it bears extra weight and meaning as Arch comes off a lackluster showing against an inferior opponent and must turn the page entirely before entering a hostile environment in Knoxville, a city forever intertwined with his family’s legacy but that will show no love to Peyton’s nephew on Saturday.

As the saying in George R. R. Martin’s best-selling series, A Game of Thrones, goes, “There must always be a Stark in Winterfell,” the same could be said about a Manning in Knoxville. However, Arch chose to play for a different UT in college football, and his path has only crossed with the Vols in 2026, three years after he enrolled at Texas and became a Longhorn. There will be a Manning in Knoxville, but in the body of an unwelcome guest.

Key takeaways

• Steve Sarkisian urged his quarterback to be smarter when running.
• The Volunteers currently rank second among SEC programs with 13 recorded sacks.
• Texas faces Tennessee at Neyland Stadium following a victory over UTSA.

“I’m disappointed in how I played and how we played. Got to be better,” Manning stated during his press conference once the game concluded. It is clear that the quarterback’s high standards for himself do not allow him to have any dips in his performance.

A winning team needs players with a winning mentality. The Longhorns have that type of leader in Manning, who is looking to take his game to the highest level in pursuit of great things in the NCAAF.

Why was Manning not satisfied?

Arch Manning went 16-of-32 for 161 yards, two touchdown passes to Isaiah Coleman, and an interception in Texas’ 30-6 win over UTSA. Despite getting the W and throwing those early TDs, Arch wasn’t too thrilled with how things played out.

He struggled to build rhythm while under constant pressure, took a beating behind a shaky offensive line, and missed a bunch of throws that kept the Longhorns from pulling away earlier. Between the continuous scrambles, heavy hits, and a sub-50% completion rate, it definitely felt like a frustrating and sloppy outing for him.

Sarkisian prepares for what’s ahead

While the Longhorns have started their season undefeated, it is clear that the competition is very even and they cannot afford to let their guard down. Steve Sarkisian, the mastermind behind this team, made that clear to the media following the win over UTSA.

“Anybody can beat anybody in the SEC. We’ve learned that, so we’ve got to get ourselves ready to go in all three phases come next Saturday,” the head coach stated.

What’s next for Texas?

The Longhorns are heading into a brutal three-game stretch. It all kicks off this Saturday, September 26th, with a road test against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium—a hostile environment to see what this team is made of away from home.

After a well-timed bye week to tweak the offense, they gear up for the main event on October 10th: the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, that neutral-site classic that always turns into a total pressure cooker. To cap off the run, Texas returns to Austin on October 17th to host Florida for what should be another high-intensity SEC clash.

“So proud of our guys,” Manning said to the reporters once the game concluded. “In all three phases. It wasn’t very pretty but we found a win to win. That’s what good teams do.”

In some way, No. 16 made it clear that they got revenge for what happened the last time the Longhorns and Buckeyes met on the field: “We couldn’t lose to them again. I had nightmares about that game last year. So, we’re glad to get a win tonight. We’ll have a good night in Austin.”

Manning’s performance against Ohio State

Arch Manning had a wild night in Texas’ epic 24-23 comeback win vs Buckeyes, proving he’s got that clutch gene when it matters most. After a brutal start where the Longhorns found themselves trailing 23-3 entering the fourth quarter, Arch completely flipped the script.

He finished the game 23-of-37 for 196 passing yards, one touchdown, and an early interception. The stat line overall looks pretty average on paper, but his fourth-quarter heroics were insane: he went 8-for-11 for 91 yards down the stretch, throwing a slick 3-yard TD pass to Ryan Wingo and pulling off two massive fourth-down conversions to seal the largest fourth-quarter comeback against a No. 1 team in history.

What’s next for the Longhorns?

Two wins in two games, and the contender label is slowly beginning to be applied to Steve Sarkisian’s team. These are the upcoming games the Longhorns have ahead, as they look to continue building on their winning record.

• vs UTSA, September 19
• at Tennessee, September 26
• vs Oklahoma, October 10 (Cotton Bowl)
• vs Florida, October 17
• vs Ole Miss, October 24

Sarkisian wants to face the best

The nature of college football often leads programs to face teams from higher tiers, as well as weaker opponents. Sarkisian, an experienced coach, does not want to take the easy route. Instead, he chooses to face quality opponents and set the bar as high as possible.

“We could be like other teams and play Jones Junior High tonight and win 66–0. I don’t know what that does for us. What I think it does for us, is we found out we can (win big games),” Coach Sark revealed during his press conference.

“Did some really good things in the first game of the year this past Saturday. He can beat you with his legs. He can beat you down field. He can make the throws when he needs to. He’s really improved,” the head coach said via on3.com.

Day also added: “And giving him a lot of credit for putting the work in, and then also give Sark and his staff credit for continuing to develop him. So he’s gonna have a great season, and he’s gonna be a great challenge for our defense.”

Visiting Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is always a risky proposition for any team, even for a contender like the Buckeyes. Ryan Day is expecting a great spectacle in Texas: “Everybody’s getting fired up to go play down there.”

Ryan Day’s record against the Longhorns

Ryan Day boasts a perfect 2-0 record against the Longhorns as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. His first victory came in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals, where Ohio State ended Texas’ season with a 28-14 win.

He followed that up in the 2025 season opener, guiding the Buckeyes to a 14-7 victory over Steve Sarkisian‘s squad in Columbus. Day has consistently had the upper hand against the Longhorns in these high-stakes, marquee matchups, holding a pristine mark as they head into their next scheduled showdown in Austin.

Manning had a smooth debut

Arch Manning kicked off Texas’ 2026 season in dominant fashion, leading the Longhorns to a 59-7 blowout victory against Texas State. Playing with sharp efficiency before resting in the third quarter, Manning completed 20 of 27 passes (74.1%) for 305 yards, throwing 4 touchdowns and just 1 interception for an impressive 210.4 passer rating.

A highly anticipated showdown

Nearly 100,000 fans are expected to attend the highly anticipated showdown between Texas and Ohio State, with an even larger audience expected to watch the game on television. “I bet there’s close to 20 million people that watch this game,” Sarkisian said to the press. “That’s pretty cool when you think about it.”

Asked about the biggest controversy in Week 1 of the NCAA campaign, Michigan‘s last-second Hail Mary victory over Western Michigan in Ann Arbor, Sarkisian delivered a sincere, confused answer that only expressed concern about the Big Ten officiating crew responsible for adding one second to the clock and allowing the miraculous touchdown catch.

“I still don’t understand or get the final ruling of it all,” Sarkisian said about the controversial call, via On Texas Football. “Unfortunate for Western Michigan, to play their tails off the way that they did and to lose like that.

“I’ve lost a game on a Hail Mary before and that definitely sucks. I don’t know the exact ruling on the timing. There’s a lot of moving parts that I’m not going to pretend to know everything about. My biggest shock was that they stormed the field.”

Sarkisian’s comments mean more before Ohio State game

With the matchup against the Buckeyes looming on the immediate horizon, Sarkisian’s statement on the officiating crew carries much more weight. Hosting No. 1 Ohio State, there is a lot for No. 5 Texas to be anxious about.

Not only will the Longhorns be taking on whom Sarkisian considers to be the best wide receiver in college football in Jeremiah Smith, but they’ll also face a squad filled with five-star talents that defeated Texas and really made the Longhorns look bad last NCAA season.

In addition to it all, the game at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium will be officiated by a Big Ten crew. That means Sarkisian’s comments on Michigan’s controversial win also hide a dig at those who will be responsible for Texas’ fate next Saturday. By all looks of it, it sure feels like Sarkisian and the burnt orange are keeping their guards up.

Why is Big Ten officiating Ohio State at Texas?

This was agreed upon by both schools when they committed to the home-and-home series for the 2025 and 2026 college football seasons. It’s a common practice across the country for the visiting team’s conference to provide the officiating crew, and this is no different. In fact, it was an SEC officiating crew that was in charge last year when the Buckeyes defeated the Longhorns 14-7 in Week 1.

“I think, one, he garners your attention, and he deserves our attention,” coach Sark, per Chase Brown of Eleven Warriors. “He’s arguably the best player in college football. The challenge is, with him, it’s the size, speed, catch radius. He’s a big, physical guy who can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. It doesn’t always look like it, but it almost feels like it. You can feel his presence on the field.”

Smith is one of the top prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft, thanks to his physical attributes and exceptional talent, which stand out among the receivers in this class. Sarkisian even went as far as comparing him to established stars such as Julio Jones and A.J. Brown.

“When you just talk about body structure, this guy looks like Julio Jones, this guy looks like AJ Brown physically,” the head coach added. “He can cover ground and then, because he’s so strong, 50-50 catches are difficult with him. You have to have a plan.”

How does Sarkisian plan to stop Smith?

Sarkisian made it clear that stopping Smith requires a solid game plan. Names such as Bo Mascoe and Kade Phillips, along with Jelani McDonald and Xavier Filsaime, could be the players tasked with executing it, but they will have to be precise.

“I think like anything when you have a plan against somebody like him, you can’t just throw all fastballs,” Sarkisian said. “As good as a fastball as you have, if that’s all you got, sooner or later you’re gonna hit it.”

An early championship clash

The Longhorns are set to host Ohio State on Saturday, September 12, 2026, under the lights at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM ET, and with a sellout crowd of over 100,000 fans expected, the energy in Austin is going to be absolutely off the charts.

Smith’s projection for the upcoming Draft

Jeremiah Smith is projected as an early first-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, with most evaluators placing him as a top-two overall prospect. Scouts consider him a rare talent at wide receiver due to his size, route-running precision, and physical dominance at the catch point. Unless a quarterback-needy team holds the top pick, he is widely expected to be the first non-quarterback off the board.

“Like anything, he’s human. There’s a couple misreads, but geez, you know, he’s over 300 yards, four touchdowns, managed the game really well, and was very efficient,” Sark stated during his press conference.

Manning, for his part, revealed that he felt very comfortable with his team’s offensive firepower: “I like how we got a lot of guys involved. Seems like we have a lot of playmakers.”

It will be a pivotal season for No. 16, with many already projecting him as a potential No. 1 pick in the next draft. Will Manning be able to fix his mistakes and make the big leap in his career?

Arch Manning’s numbers against Texas State

Starting his first full year at the helm, Arch Manning couldn’t have scripted a smoother 2026 debut, leading No. 5 Texas to a dominant 59-7 blowout over Texas State. The n.16 was locked in, slinging it for 305 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and completing 20 of 27 passes before taking a well-earned rest early in the third quarter.

Outside of a single end-zone pick right before halftime, he ran the offense with surgical precision, connecting big with transfer targets like Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo to put the Longhorns up comfortably before gear-shifting into next week’s monster matchup against Ohio State Buckeyes.

Keep moving forward

Steve Sarkisian‘s team got off to a strong start to the season, but what lies ahead will be far from easy. Getting into the SEC title race means picking up as many positive results as possible early in the campaign, something the Longhorns will look to secure in their upcoming games:

• Week 2, vs Ohio State (September 12)
• Week 3, vs UTSA (September 19)
• Week 4, at Tennessee (September 26)
• Week 5, vs Oklahoma (October 10) – Cotton Bowl
• Week 6, vs Florida (October 17)