Manning's 'chip on his shoulder' will determine whether QB saves his job

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Arch Manning's 'chip on his shoulder' will determine whether QB saves his job and Texas' slim CFP chances

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 19, 2026 2:24 PM ET

Texas Longhorns backup quarterback KJ Lacey will reportedly receive more first-team reps during this week's practice. That's lighting a fire under starting QB Arch Manning.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke with the media on Monday shortly after the report surfaced. He declined to say how he'll divide the workload between Manning and Lacey. Regardless, it sounds like Manning is taking advantage of his opportunities.

Steve Sarkisian talks Arch Manning

"I had a good meeting with Arch yesterday," Sarkisian said (h/t ESPN's Marty Smith). "He came out today, he's got a chip on his shoulder. I appreciated it. I liked it."

Manning's increased competitive edge may help him keep the starting job. The QB struggled mightily in losses to the Oklahoma Sooners (27-24) and Florida Gators (27-24), throwing two interceptions and losing one fumble. All three turnovers came in the fourth quarter of each contest.

Sark on Arch Manning's demeanor on Monday:
"I had a good meeting with Arch yesterday. He came out today, he's got a chip on his shoulder. I appreciated it. I liked it."
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 19, 2026

With Manning out of sync, the rest of the Longhorns offense has looked discombobulated. Entering Week 8, Texas ranks 12th in the SEC in yardage (361.3 YPG) and 11th in scoring (30.2 PPG).

The sputtering unit has put the Longhorns' College Football Playoff chances on even thinner ice, making a Week 8 home clash against the No. 7-ranked Ole Miss Rebels (5-1) a must-win. As of Monday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives Texas a 41.3 chance to make the CFP. A late postseason push grew more challenging after the team dropped from No. 7 to No. 19 in the latest AP Top 25 poll.

If Manning and the offense don't find their groove, they can kiss their dwindling CFP hopes goodbye.

"Arch can play better for us, he's our starter," Sarkisian said (h/t OnTexasFootball's CJ Vogel). "But I need to see a better version of Arch Manning, like I need to see a better version of a lot of guys on our offensive football team right now."

Steve Sarkisian says Arch Manning is the starter, but he needs to play better.

Sarkisian says QB KJ Lacey takes first team reps every week. pic.twitter.com/WAuXFlAVkY
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) October 19, 2026

Longhorn fans have been waiting to see that version of Manning all season and throughout his Texas career to a certain extent. He must show up soon, or the Lone Star State's flagship college football team could plunge further into a Texas-sized disaster.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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