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The Texas Longhorns began the season ranked No. 1 in the nation, but consecutive losses have placed their College Football Playoff aspirations in peril. With quarterback Arch Manning struggling, head coach Steve Sarkisian has not dismissed the idea of making a change at the position.
After Saturday's home loss to the Florida Gators, Sarkisian was asked if he had considered replacing Manning. He made it clear that no option is off the table.
Texas had built a 17-3 advantage over Florida on Saturday, aided by a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown by Ryan Niblett. However, the Gators, starting backup quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. in his first career start, responded with 24 unanswered points and pulled off a 27-24 upset.
Manning completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, but he also lost a fumble that essentially sealed the defeat. That mistake came a week after his late interception helped Oklahoma defeat Texas in regulation. In just one of his last five games has Manning thrown for more than 250 yards.
Now 4-2, Texas faces a daunting stretch with Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, and LSU on the schedule over the next four weeks.
Key Analysis
When asked after the game if he would consider a change at quarterback, Sarkisian left the possibility open. "We're not playing good offensive football right now, so everything is going to be evaluated," Sarkisian said, via On3. If Texas does make a move, the next man up would be redshirt freshman K.J. Lacey, a former four-star recruit who has appeared in two games this season.
Sarkisian also did not mince words about his team's overall performance. "Obviously we're extremely disappointed. We didn't play very good football today outside of the first quarter," Sarkisian said, via Inside Texas. "Very disappointed, but we'll work and get back. We've got a better team than how we're playing right now. It's my job to figure out how to get us to play closer to our potential."
Benching Manning, who entered the season as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, would be a stunning move. But it certainly sounds like it is on the table.
"He's benched," wrote Big Cat of Barstool Sports. "Anybody predict Arch might get benched before the season started?" wrote Ringer editor Bryan Curtis. "Could Arch march to the sideline to watch for at least a week?" wrote Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. "He should."
"He benched Ewers for less," wrote Dallas Cowboys writer Clarence Hill Jr., adding "it's time" in another post. "We can't put it all on Arch. Situational football has to be questioned as well," wrote Dez Bryant. "Honestly, benching Arch and seeing if KJ can spark the offense might be the only move he has. It's desperate, but they are desperate at this point," wrote longtime football writer Mike Herndon.
Clearly, whether Manning or Sarkisian takes the blame, the pressure in Austin will only continue to mount.
Originally reported by yahoo.