Arch Manning has self-diagnosed his issue, and it makes sense

Not too long ago, it would have seemed like a wild move for the Texas Longhorns to bench Arch Manning.

He's a Manning, after all, and the former No. 1 overall recruit from the class of 2023. He's been a high-level quarterback his whole life, and he has elite quarterback play in his blood.

Deserved or not, he's essentially been in the Heisman Trophy candidate conversation since he came to Texas.

And yet, the Longhorns are now 4-2 and ranked No. 19 in the country, and they've suffered two straight high-profile SEC losses to the Oklahoma Sooners and Florida Gators. 

Earlier this season, the Longhorns were ranked No. 1 in the country. Now? There's a chance they don't even make the College Football Playoff.

And Manning has struggled.

That's why head coach Steve Sarkisian is upping the practice reps for redshirt freshman quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. Quarterback is the most important position in football, and the Longhorns have had subpar quarterback play in the last two games.

Sarkisian has to be ready to make the switch if things keep looking like they're going south — if only to try to save this season.

For his part, Manning is saying all the right things, and he's trying to put and keep a chip on his shoulder in an effort to give himself a competitive advantage. In the same breath, he's admitted that he's playing tight when he's out on the field.

"I think we just got to play like we practice and let it rip and have some fun. I feel like I've been a little too hesitant, to be quite honest," Manning said on Monday. "Like you said, just let it rip. I'm going to die on the hill of 'I'm letting it rip.'"

Arch Manning says he's playing a hesitant brand of football 

Hesitation in sports comes from one thing and one thing only: overthinking. Overthinking tends to come from a lack of confidence, and a lack of confidence tends to come when the pressure of the moment feels too big to handle.

And therein lies the issue for Manning. He has the physical tools to be a great quarterback. Again, it's in his blood. He's also long been touted for and praised for his ability to handle the pressure of being a Manning playing college football.

To his credit, he's had no off-field issues, and he's largely said the right things (outside of the Holly Rowe incident), but perhaps the young Manning is not as unflappable as we've been led to believe.

He's diagnosed his issue, and that's being too hesitant. Can he fix it in time for the Longhorns to turn this season around?

That's going to be easier said than done.