Updated October 18, 2026, 5:07 p.m. ET
- Texas has a quarterback problem with Arch Manning that could cost Steve Sarkisian his job if he doesn’t act.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian finally appears ready to put some distance between himself and quarterback Arch Manning.
In a classic move of a struggling coach attempting a head fake, Sarkisian began going after Manning after a 27-24 loss to Florida.
Florida’s backup quarterback-turned-starter, Tramell Jones Jr., dominated Manning, whose late fumble sealed a Texas loss in a game he led by two first-half touchdowns.
Sargsyan admitted that some of his team’s problems stemmed from a “mentality problem.” What was his first clue? That should have been true of his team’s juvenile antics a few weeks ago in a close win at Tennessee. He let the problems fester while the Longhorns proved to be a flimsy and undisciplined team.
The problems extend to the quarterback.
After defending Manning fiercely for weeks, Sarkisian finally got closer to what most of us had been thinking for a while: Texas might need to move on from Manning.
Sark didn’t put it as bluntly, but he did say “everything is going to be evaluated” after Texas suffered a second straight loss.
Does it all mean the quarterback too?
“Everything means everything,” Sargsyan said.
Manning is going to drag Sarkisian’s coaching career to the bottom of the Colorado River if he continues to latch on to an average quarterback.
The problem for Sargsyan is that he lacks magic solutions.
Manning’s replacement, Karle Lacey Jr., has limited experience. Putting the season in his hands, when Texas can’t afford another loss, seems riskier than sticking with Manning.
Third baseman Dia Bell was a blue-chip recruit, but he has yet to appear in a game during this first season.
The hard truth is that Texas’ best shot in the postseason probably remains with turnover-prone and slow-handling Manning taking the snaps.
Whatever Sark decides this season, he can’t let Manning return as the starter next season.
Very little about Manning’s performance suggests he’s ready for the NFL, but he is a victim of nepotism. Someone in the NFL would try to take a shot at him, and if that’s where he decides to head after this season, that would give Texas an out. Wish him luck and run this offense again with someone else next season.
But what would happen if Manning decided his pro stock could benefit from a fifth college season?
In this case, Sark must push Manning towards the portal. If he brings back Manning as the starter next season, he’s betting his future on a quarterback who hasn’t earned that trust.
Sarkissian’s buyout exceeds $50 million. Texas is one of the schools that could afford such a number, and if they miss the playoffs, the heat is on the coach. But the smarter move would probably be to force Sargsyan to abandon his playing duties and give him another chance in 2027.
Next, Sargsyan should ask himself: Is there a quarterback he would trust to work with next season?
The answer to this question cannot be Manning. If that is the case, then Sargsyan is just coaching for the takeover.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s lead national college football columnist. Listen to his podcast “College Football Unfiltered.” Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on @btopppmeyer.
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