Texas may still be sorting out the quarterback room behind Arch Manning, but Week 1 gave the Longhorns a pretty clear answer.
When Texas’ lead over Texas State grew into what looked like a runaway, sophomore KJ Lacey stepped in and made his case to be Manning’s top backup in 2026. Before that outing, Lacey had been battling freshman Dia Bell and Coastal Carolina transfer MJ Morris for the job. By the end of the day, the picture looked a lot cleaner.
Lacey handled the offense well against the Bobcats, going 6-for-7 for 55 passing yards. He also added two carries for three yards and helped guide Texas to three scoring drives.
That performance came after the Longhorns had already pushed the game beyond the point where Texas State could realistically climb back in, but it still offered the kind of live-game proof coaches love to see. For now, it’s fair to say Lacey has moved to the front of the line behind Manning.
Around the Longhorns, attention is already turning to a much bigger stage. Texas is set to face Ohio State, and the matchup has become the center of the conversation in Austin and beyond. Coverage around the program has focused on the game time, TV and streaming details, a hype video released by Texas, and plenty of talk about whether the Longhorns can finally get past the Buckeyes.
There’s also no shortage of angles surrounding the roster. Cam Coleman’s place in the receiving conversation, Hero Kanu’s path from Germany to Texas, and the status of running back Derrek Cooper, who is listed as a game-time decision for Ohio State, are all part of the buildup. On the field, one of the bigger questions is whether Texas can slow Ohio State’s play-action game and take advantage of a run game weakness.
Recruiting remains part of the backdrop, too, with Texas and Ohio State tied together on that front for years. The latest visitor list for the weekend includes elite prospects from the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes, and there are 10 recruiting storylines to keep an eye on heading into the game.
Elsewhere in the SEC conversation, Missouri, LSU and Ole Miss are all drawing their own attention as the league’s early-season picture starts to take shape.
In Other News...
Arch Manning Added To Texas Wildest Postgame Controversy Yet
The aftermath of Texas 24-23 comeback win over No. 1 Ohio State did not stay focused on the field for long. Steve Sarkisians postgame interview became a talking point after he cut off reporter Holly Rowe, and the moment quickly spilled into the kind of strange, over-the-top discourse that follows a marquee victory when the stakes are already sky high. The result itself mattered plenty, lifting Texas to No. 1 in the updated AP poll, but the tone around the celebration shifted almost immediately.
Arch Manning soon found himself dragged into the chatter after weighing in on an AI-generated video that falsely showed Sarkisian slapping Rowe. His reaction made clear he was not treating the situation with much gravity, even as the clip added another layer to an already messy postgame scene. For Texas, the football part of the night was the headline it wanted, but the strange side story around its coach and quarterback is the one still hanging in the air. [Read more 🡒]
Steve Sarkisian's Awkward Ohio State Moment Took A Strange Turn Online
Steve Sarkisians postgame exchange with Holly Rowe after the Ohio State game was already unusual enough to draw plenty of attention, with Texas fans and onlookers replaying the moment as soon as it hit social media. The Longhorns coach abruptly cut off the ESPN interview and sprinted away, turning a routine TV hit into one of the first viral oddities of the season for a program that tends to live under a microscope.
The story took an even stranger turn when Arch Manning said he had seen AI-generated videos making it look as if Sarkisian slapped Rowe, a fabrication that quickly circulated online after his comments. It was a reminder of how fast a bizarre real-life clip can get distorted once the internet grabs hold, and how little room there is for nuance once a strange moment from a marquee Texas game becomes meme material. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Gets One Last Real Test Before Big 12 Play
TCUs final tune-up before Big 12 play brings a familiar face to Fort Worth, with Arkansas State visiting for what should be a useful barometer for both teams. The Red Wolves have shown a balanced offense so far, leaning on multiple running backs and receivers, while mixing in enough defensive looks to keep an opponent honest. For a Horned Frogs team trying to sharpen itself before the conference grind begins, its the kind of late-September game that can reveal more than the matchup on paper suggests.
The most interesting wrinkle is under center, where Arkansas State is being led by Trey Owens, a transfer quarterback with Texas ties and a chance to settle in after a bumpy start to his career path. The Red Wolves also bring a strong secondary and a defense that changes structure, but their run defense has been a vulnerability through the first two games, which gives TCU a clear area to press. Before Big 12 play arrives, this one offers the Horned Frogs a final look at a team with enough moving parts to make the afternoon matter. [Read more 🡒]