Texas is heading into Oxford with all the attention fixed on one spot: quarterback. The Longhorns sit at 4-2, but the conversation in Austin keeps circling back to Arch Manning, whose play has not matched the Heisman Trophy buzz that followed him into the season.
There was already fresh noise this week after reports on Monday said Texas was giving freshman KJ Lacey Jr. an “uptick” in reps at practice. Manning, for his part, acknowledged the obvious and said he needs to play better moving forward.
For now, though, Manning still appears set to start against Ole Miss, and that makes sense given the circumstances. Texas insider Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods laid out just how far things would have to go before Steve Sarkisian would make a change.
"I was told that it would take a “s- performance” against Ole Miss for Sarkisian to bench Manning," Richardson wrote.
The Longhorns are already coming off a rough stretch, dropping consecutive 27-24 games, first to Oklahoma in Norman and then to Florida at home in Austin.
Manning’s numbers in those games have been uneven. Against Florida, he completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. In the Red River Rivalry loss to Oklahoma, he went 19 of 31 for 260 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Calls for a switch have already started to build, with analyst Paul Finebaum among those urging Texas to consider benching Manning. But putting a freshman in against a top-10 Ole Miss team on the road is a major gamble. Still, if Manning has another rough outing, the possibility of a move is clearly on the table.
In Other News...
Todd Bates Just Gave Oklahoma Fans A Reason To Exhale
Todd Bates has been a steady part of Oklahomas defensive staff since 2022, and his latest comments should calm any nerves about his immediate future. The defensive tackles coach said he intends to stay put and keep focusing on his current job, rather than using this moment to chase a quicker climb up the coaching ladder. For a program that has leaned on continuity as it keeps building under Brent Venables, that matters.
Bates also pointed to his own growth working under Venables and to the defenses production up front during his time in Norman, with the Sooners making impact plays in tackles for loss and sacks. He still has bigger goals down the road, but for now the message was clear enough for Oklahoma fans: he sees value in staying in place and continuing to develop within the staff instead of looking for the next move right away. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahomas 2026 Slide Just Hit An Uncomfortable New Low
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The loss to Kentucky only sharpened the concern, and the next stop offers little relief beyond a chance to steady things against Mississippi State, another team searching for traction. Even beyond that, the schedule does not suggest much of a national spotlight returning anytime soon, with future matchups pointing toward the same lower-tier exposure. For a program used to being part of the broader playoff conversation, the present reality is a lot less comfortable than anyone around Oklahoma would have expected. [Read more 🡒]
Sooners Offense Showed Promise But One Problem Still Looms
Oklahomas offense finally flashed some of the rhythm and pace the Sooners have been chasing this season against Kentucky, a welcome sign for a unit that has spent much of the year searching for consistency. The bigger picture still looks shaky, though, with turnovers and injuries repeatedly interrupting any momentum and the overall production lagging far behind what the program needs as the schedule wears on.
Mississippi State is next, and it offers another chance for the Sooners to build on what worked and get healthier in the process. Even with the offensive issues, Oklahoma has been able to lean on a defense that has held up well, especially against the pass, but the question now is whether the return of injured players can help the offense catch up before the margin for error gets even smaller. [Read more 🡒]