The noise around Arch Manning isn’t getting quieter.
As questions swirled across the college football landscape about whether Manning’s run at Texas could be nearing its end, a handful of prominent voices openly pushed the idea that he should look elsewhere. Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky was blunt on social media, saying, “Arch should definitely go back to school (as of right now) and definitely not at Texas,”
Sports Illustrated’s Gene Wojciechowski took the conversation a step farther, floating Indiana as a possible fit after watching what head coach Curt Cignetti did with No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza in 2025.
“I’m not saying it hasn’t worked out, but could it work out better someplace else, given what Curt Cignetti has shown, is it Indiana?” he questioned. Longtime college football writer Pat Forde quickly backed the idea, calling it a possible “one year rocket ride” for Manning toward the top of the draft board.
The speculation didn’t stop there. CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco also hinted Manning could move on from the Longhorns, while former NFL general manager Ran Carthon pointed to the Miami Hurricanes as another possible destination.
Meanwhile, Texas is trying to steady the quarterback room rather than feed the rumor mill.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the Longhorns are “expected to give an up-tick in first-team quarterback reps to redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr this week in practice.”
Still, head coach Steve Sarkisian made clear Monday that Manning remains the starter.
“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.”
Through six games, Manning has completed 63.9% of his passes for 1,295 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also been sacked 17 times, a sharp rise from the 23 sacks he took across the entire 2025 season.
Texas, ranked No. 19, gets No. 7 Ole Miss at home Saturday night.
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Arch Manning's Texas Slide Is Suddenly Worth Watching At LSU
Arch Mannings first season as Texas starter has turned into one of the most closely watched storylines in the sport, and the ripple effects are reaching well beyond Austin. The Longhorns have already taken two losses before the end of October, and Manning has not matched the expectations that followed him into the job, which has only sharpened the pressure around Steve Sarkisians offense.
For LSU, the intrigue is obvious because any long-range Manning watch inevitably invites a look at potential landing spots if the quarterback decides to stay in college beyond the 2027 NFL Draft. Sarkisian has already hinted at more work for backup KJ Lacey, even if a full benching has not been announced, and that uncertainty has only fueled the idea that Mannings next move could become one of the bigger offseason plotlines in the SEC. Georgia, Ole Miss and Oregon are part of that conversation too, but LSU will be paying close attention if the slide continues. [Read more 🡒]
LSUs New International Class Could Change The Tigers Right Away
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Saliou Niang landed at No. 2 on the list, with Michael Ruzic at No. 7 and Brice Dessert at No. 8. For LSU, the appeal goes beyond rankings alone, because those three are expected to factor heavily into the rotation right away, giving the Tigers a group of newcomers that could influence how quickly this team settles in once the season opens. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Faces A Pivotal Auburn Test In A Brutal Road Spot
ESPNs Bill Connelly sees LSU heading into one of the more revealing stretches of its season with a trip to Auburn, where the Tigers will be tested by a defense that has already shown it can make life difficult for a top-tier SEC opponent. LSU has leaned on an offense built around Sam Leavitts efficiency in an RPO-heavy attack, and the pass rush has given the team another edge, with Princewill Umanmielen and Deuce Geralds helping set the tone up front.
There is also more than just one game hanging over this trip. LSU is projected to be a slight favorite in its remaining games, which keeps the path to the SEC championship game in play, but Auburns upset of Georgia serves as a reminder that this is not the kind of road spot anyone should take lightly. For LSU, the challenge is as much about surviving a difficult environment as it is about proving its balance can travel when the stakes start to tighten. [Read more 🡒]