After entering the 2026 campaign as national championship favorites, the No. 19 Longhorns find themselves teetering on the edge of College Football Playoff elimination with a disappointing 4-2 record. The mounting pressure follows back-to-back loss dropped against Oklahoma (27-24) and Florida (27-24), two results that sent shockwaves through the program.

Central to Texas’ mid-season slump has been Manning’s alarming trend of costly turnovers. The QB has thrown five interceptions over six games, with critical mistakes late in second halves directly derailing potential comeback drives. With a formidable Ole Miss defense coming to town, the margin for error for Arch has shrunk to zero.

Will Steve Sarkisian bench QB Arch Manning today vs Ole Miss?

For now, head coach Steve Sarkisian is standing by his high-profile starter and maintaining Arch Manning as QB1 against Ole Miss. However, the leeway Manning previously enjoyed has evaporated.

According to a bombshell report from ESPN insider Pete Thamel on College GameDay, Sarkisian took concrete steps during practice to prepare backup quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. for potential game action.

“Arch Manning took significantly fewer reps with Texas’ first-team offense this week than he usually does. Let’s be clear, Steve Sarkisian does not want to replace Arch Manning as Texas’ starter, but he has started to prepare to do that if Arch Manning struggles.”

According to Thamel, practice reps were split 50-50 between Manning and Lacey early in the week. While Manning reclaimed the vast majority of first-team snaps toward the end of the week, the adjusted preparation confirms that Sarkisian is fully willing to pull the trigger if Manning commits early turnovers against Ole Miss.

Key takeaways

• Arch Manning is active and starting today for No. 19 Texas against No. 7 Ole Miss in Week 8.
• ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Manning split first-team reps 50-50 with freshman KJ Lacey Jr. early in the week.
• Steve Sarkisian maintains Manning as QB1 but is prepared to insert Lacey mid-game if Manning struggles with early turnovers.

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.

For the first time since 1990, the No. 1-ranked team in the country lost to unranked opponents in back-to-back weeks, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. These consecutive upsets have completely disrupted postseason projections and rewritten modern college football history.

The postseason landscape relies heavily on top programs maintaining weekly dominance against inferior competition. When top-ranked teams fall in back-to-back weeks to unranked foes, it exposes a major systemic vulnerability across college football.

Breakdown of the historic top-Ranked Upsets

Surviving as the top team requires a razor-thin margin for error against highly motivated unranked opponents. The downfall began when Texas surrendered its top spot following a surprising loss to Oklahoma.

Just one week later, Georgia experienced similar missteps, allowing an unranked opponent like Auburn to dictate tempo and seal historic back-to-back upsets. Auburn’s walk-off field goal will be one to remember.

Championship implications and the new CFB Playoff reality

The fallout from these back-to-back losses creates total mayhem. Programs like Georgia and Texas now face zero margin for error as conference title races open up. Securing a top seed in the postseason format now demands immediate corrections.

Looking ahead, these historic upsets prove that depth and star power alone cannot erase execution flaws. As underdog programs continue bridging the talent gap through portal additions and precise schemes, maintaining the top ranking will remain one of the toughest challenges in College Football.

Key takeaways

• Unranked teams beat the No. 1-ranked team in consecutive weeks for the first time since 1990.
• Texas surrendered its top spot following a surprising loss to Oklahoma.
• Auburn beat Georgia with a walk-off field goal to complete back-to-back upsets.

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.

Texas enters the matchup undefeated at 4-0 after earning an impressive 20-17 road victory over Tennessee in its last game. Arch Manning and the Longhorns have already secured a statement win against Ohio State this season, but they will face another major test against an Oklahoma team eager to pull off an upset in one of the sport’s most historic rivalries.

Oklahoma comes into the contest with a 2-2 record after suffering a 41-13 defeat against Georgia in its most recent outing. The Sooners will look to regroup after their bye week and challenge Texas in a game that carries significant implications for both programs as they navigate their first season in the SEC together.

What Time Does Texas vs. Oklahoma Kick Off Today?

The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the traditional neutral-site venue for the historic Red River Rivalry.

Texas has won the last two meetings between the programs, including a 23-6 victory in the 2025 edition of the rivalry. The Longhorns will attempt to extend that streak and protect their No. 1 ranking, while Oklahoma hopes to turn its season around with a signature win over its longtime rival.

With the Cotton Bowl providing the stage once again, Saturday’s matchup offers both teams an opportunity to reshape the narrative around their seasons. Undoubtedly, there’s a lot at stake.

Key takeaways

• No. 1 Texas meets Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl undefeated at 4-0.
• Oklahoma enters the Red River Rivalry with a 2-2 record.
• The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

“Most kids that are highly recruited, if they don’t play in their first or second year, they usually transfer out,” Peyton Manning said back in 2025. “It’s why I went to Tennessee, I wanted to go to school there. It’s why Arch went to Texas, because he wanted to go to Texas, and play for Steve Sarkisian.”

Coach Sarkisian is well known for his offensive-minded approach and has helped develop quarterbacks such as Quinn Ewers, who eventually made his way to the NFL after being drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Manning, meanwhile, appears to be making the most of his talent at Texas.

Some have also suggested that Arch sought, in some way, to take a different path from his uncles. Joining Tennessee, or the Ole Miss Rebels like Eli, might have meant carrying an additional level of pressure, whereas beginning his college career at Texas allowed him to start from a clean slate.

Sarkisian is a great ally for Arch

Steve Sarkisian is pretty much the ultimate head coach to unlock Arch Manning’s full potential, operating as one of the sharpest offensive minds and quarterback developers in all of college football. Sark’s play-calling genius—built on heavy pre-snap motion, clever play-action schemes, and NFL-style spatial concepts—creates a high-powered scheme tailor-made for a quarterback with Arch’s processing speed and big arm.

Beyond the playbook, Sarkisian’s proven track record of refining elite passers and managing high-stakes pressure gives Arch the perfect environment to sharpen his mechanics, read defenses like a pro, and comfortably step into the family legacy without missing a beat.

Peyton’s legacy at Tennessee

Peyton Manning’s time with the Tennessee Volunteers is the ultimate blueprint for college football royalty, defined by elite preparation and absolute mastery of the SEC. Stepping in as a freshman in 1994, he quickly transformed the Vols into a national powerhouse, steering Knoxville through a golden era while racking up a dominant 39-6 record as a starter.

Over his four-year run, Peyton shredded defenses to the tune of 11,201 passing yards and 89 touchdowns—both school records—while orchestrating offenses with the kind of pre-snap chess moves that would later become his NFL trademark.

His legendary college path peaked in 1997 when he led Tennessee to an SEC Championship, swept individual honors by winning the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards, finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up, and cemented #16 as an untouchable icon in Rocky Top history.

Eli made his mark at Ole Miss

Taking on the Ole Miss quarterback job with the surname “Manning” on his jersey meant Eli was under the microscope from day one, but he handled the Oxford pressure like an absolute natural. Instead of being defined by his lineage, he completely reset expectations for Rebels football, elevating the program with his smooth pocket presence, clutch gene, and ridiculous arm strength.

By the time he threw his last pass in blue and red, Eli had completely taken over the school record books with 10,119 passing yards and 81 touchdown passes. The pinnacle of his college journey came in 2003, when he dragged Ole Miss to a 10-win season, capped it off with a Cotton Bowl victory, earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and claimed the prestigious Maxwell Award—proving beyond doubt that he was a star in his own right.

Key takeaways

• Arch Manning joined Texas over Tennessee in the 2023 recruiting class.
• Peyton Manning stated in 2025 that Arch wanted to play for Steve Sarkisian.
• Joining Texas allowed Arch to start from a clean slate away from his uncles.

“Most of my advice is more football stuff. He’ll have to figure out that media on his own and a lot of it is just kind of growing pains. You feel like [the media’s] your pal, you relax with them a little bit, you try to be funny, and then they can take it and run,” Eli Manning admitted, via Front Office Sports.

“You’ve got to be careful, you’ve got to find your moments when you can be funny and relaxed. There’s certain things that you’ve got to learn and deal with it. I think he has learned and apologized, and did the right steps handling that.“

Arch Manning may be one of the biggest household names in college football and has been in the national spotlight for some time, but he is still a young player discovering the lay of the land. Going through the trials and tribulations of a college experience that not many NCAA athletes can relate to, Arch is not alone, though.

Arch has helping hands all around him

At times, it might sound as if he’s being scolded, but in truth, it shows he has people around him who care. That’s the case with Eli’s latest message, as well as the support he always gets from his father Cooper, uncle Peyton and grandfather Archie.

Even Steve Sarkisian’s recent ultimatum for Manning ahead of Texas vs. Tennessee is a sign that the Longhorns’ program is looking after what’s best for their quarterback. When it’s all put together, it’s encouraging, and it may reveal that Arch is destined for great things in college football and perhaps at the next level, too.

Arch Manning changed entirely after controversy

Following a lackluster performance during Texas’ 30-6 win over UTSA, Manning attended a press conference on Monday. It was his first face-to-face, lengthy meeting with the media after his comment about an AI-generated video raised eyebrows and led to a blown-out-of-proportion witch hunt against the heir to football’s royal quarterback family.

Once bitten, twice shy, Manning turned three times shy. He looked like a completely different personality, turning away from the funny remarks he’d made on another occasion. His short, straight-out-of-a-cassette answers made waves all over social media, as many fans and reporters lamented that Arch’s personality appeared to be censored.

From now on, it seems Manning will only say as little as possible to string together an answer out of respect for reporters’ questions, but will give away nothing more.

Manning’s press conference stats

According to CBS Austin’s Bob Ballou, Manning answered a total of 19 questions with just 56 seconds of answers during his Monday press conference. That’s less than a three-second average answer.

To say Manning has become laconic would be an understatement. And all for a comment—that was clearly intended as a joke but was read too much into—from a 22-year-old who had a laugh out of an AI-generated, absurd video.

Key takeaways

• Eli Manning advised his nephew to be careful, noting media can take comments and run.
• A public comment regarding an AI-generated video resulted in widespread media controversy and an apology.
• During a recent press conference, Arch Manning answered 19 questions in just 56 seconds.

“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.