Since before he arrived at Texas, Arch Manning has faced immense hype and expectations for his college football career that were, arguably, impossible to meet.
That is due not only because he was the nation's top-ranked recruit in his class, but also because of his famous family name.
That scrutiny has intensified in recent weeks as the Longhorns have squandered double-digit leads in back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Florida, putting the offense, its quarterback and its coach under a harsher spotlight after entering the season as national championship contenders.
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Manning has played his part in the Longhorns' offensive struggles, as he is responsible for three fourth-quarter turnovers — including an interception at the end of the Red River Rivalry that eventually set up a walk-off field goal for Oklahoma — against the Sooners and Gators.
"The player is in there. It’s our job to get it out," Steve Sarkisian said on Monday about Manning.
Manning, once considered last season as the Heisman favorite and the future No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, now faces questions of whether he'll start against Mississippi on Saturday, Oct. 24, largely in part due to comments Sarkisian made that an evaluation of the offense would involve everything.
Here's what to know:
Will Arch Manning start for Texas vs Ole Miss today?
All signs point to Manning starting for Texas against Ole Miss, though the 6-foot-4 quarterback enters the top-20 matchup against the Rebels facing increased scrutiny after Texas' loss to Florida, which prompted Sarkisian's evaluation comments about the offense.
Moreover, ESPN reported on Oct. 19 that Texas backup quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. would see an increase in first-team reps with the offense as the Longhorns struggle offensively. Sarkisian, speaking to reporters on Monday after that report, said Lacey Jr. didn't get more first-team reps than he normally does in a given week.
"There's no doubt about it, Arch can play better for us," Sarkisian said on Monday. "He's our starter, 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.
"We need to see a better version of him this week."
Steve Sarkisian says Arch Manning is the starter, but he needs to play better.
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) October 19, 2026
Sarkisian says QB KJ Lacey takes first team reps every week. pic.twitter.com/WAuXFlAVkY
Arch Manning stats
Below is a game-by-game look at Manning's stats this season at Texas:
- vs. Texas State: 20-of-27 (74.1%) passing for 305 yards with four touchdowns and an interception
- vs. Ohio State: 23-of-37 (62.2%) passing for 195 yards with a touchdown and an interception
- vs. UTSA: 16-of-32 (50%) passing for 161 yards with two touchdowns
- vs. Tennessee: 14-of-19 (73.7%) passing for 201 yards with an interception
- vs. Oklahoma: 19-of-31 (61.3%) passing for 260 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions
- vs. Florida: 14-of-20 (70%) passing for 173 yards with a touchdown
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Arch Manning start vs Ole Miss? Texas QB faces pressure ahead of game