Urban Meyer believes Arch Manning’s recent performances have raised serious questions about his future as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. With Texas losing back-to-back games and a difficult matchup against Ole Miss approaching, the former national championship-winning coach thinks head coach Steve Sarkisian should consider giving backup quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. more opportunities.
Meyer shared his assessment of Manning during recent appearances on The Herd and OutKick’s Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich. His comments have added to the growing debate surrounding Texas football and whether a quarterback change could help the struggling Longhorns regain their momentum.
Urban Meyer’s Analysis of Arch Manning’s Recent Struggles
Meyer was particularly impressed by Manning’s performance during Texas’ comeback victory over Ohio State in Week 2. The Longhorns defeated the then-No. 1 Buckeyes 24-23 after putting together a dramatic late rally, and Manning delivered an encouraging finish that appeared to justify the excitement surrounding his potential.
However, Meyer believes Manning has struggled to maintain that level of play.
“The final two drives against Ohio State, I finally sat down and said, ‘Wow. There’s Arch Manning. Here we go.’ And it’s been in reverse ever since,” Meyer said, according to FOX Sports.
The former Ohio State and Florida coach pointed to Manning’s footwork, confidence and decision-making as areas of concern. In his assessment, the quarterback has appeared less settled since the memorable Ohio State comeback.
Meyer also expressed surprise at how quickly the situation has changed, given the expectations surrounding Manning and the talent available on the Texas offense.
Why Is Arch Manning Facing Pressure to Keep His Starting Job?
Texas entered the 2026 season with significant expectations, and Manning was widely viewed as a central figure in the program’s championship ambitions. His recent performances, however, have increased scrutiny of his role.
After defeating Ohio State, Texas suffered losses to Oklahoma and Florida, with both games ending in 27-24 defeats. The Longhorns also earned a 20-17 victory over Tennessee during that stretch.
The consecutive losses to Oklahoma and Florida have intensified concerns about the team’s offensive consistency. Texas dropped from No. 12 to No. 19 in the latest AP Top 25 poll following the defeat to Florida.
Meyer previously viewed Texas’ receiving group as a possible explanation for some of Manning’s difficulties during the previous season. This year, however, the offense features talented wide receivers Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, making the quarterback’s continued struggles more difficult to overlook in Meyer’s view.
Although the supporting cast is not the only factor in a team’s success, Meyer believes Texas must evaluate whether Manning is currently giving the offense its best chance to win.
Could KJ Lacey Jr. Replace Arch Manning?
One of the biggest questions surrounding Texas football is whether backup quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. could provide a spark if given an opportunity.
Meyer suggested that Sarkisian should begin distributing more first-team practice repetitions to Lacey. Doing so would allow the coaching staff to evaluate the backup more closely before making a potentially season-defining decision.
“You got to start giving that guy reps,” Meyer said during his discussion of Texas’ quarterback situation.
Meyer did not insist that Manning must immediately lose his starting job. Instead, his argument centered on creating a genuine competition and determining whether another quarterback could improve the offense.
He also made his position clear when discussing the possibility of a change.
“If the backup can help you win, I’d think about it,” Meyer said, as reported by FOX Sports.
For Sarkisian, the challenge is balancing the benefits of a possible quarterback switch against the risks of disrupting the offense. Manning remains a highly regarded young quarterback, and a temporary dip in performance does not necessarily mean he cannot recover.
However, with the season moving forward and the competition becoming tougher, Texas cannot afford to ignore its offensive problems.
What Texas Can Learn From Michigan’s Quarterback Change
Meyer referenced Michigan as an example of how a coaching staff can respond when its starting quarterback is struggling.
During Michigan’s game against Penn State, head coach Kyle Whittingham replaced Bryce Underwood with backup Tommy Carr at halftime after the Wolverines failed to score in the first half.
Carr helped Michigan produce a comeback, with the Wolverines eventually earning a 21-18 victory over the Nittany Lions.
Meyer believes the change demonstrated how a different quarterback can sometimes provide an immediate boost to a team’s confidence and energy.
The comparison does not guarantee that a similar decision would work for Texas. Every team has different personnel, offensive systems and circumstances. Nevertheless, Michigan’s result provides an example of why coaches may need to consider alternatives when the offense is not performing as expected.
For Texas, giving Lacey additional practice opportunities could help Sarkisian determine whether a change would produce similar benefits.
Texas Faces a Major Test Against Ole Miss
The timing of the Arch Manning debate is particularly significant because Texas is preparing to face No. 7 Ole Miss on Saturday night.
The matchup presents another major challenge for the Longhorns as they attempt to stop their losing streak and improve their position in the college football rankings.
Manning will face pressure to demonstrate that he can regain the confidence and composure he displayed during the Ohio State comeback. A strong performance could quiet some of the criticism and strengthen his position as the starter.
On the other hand, continued offensive struggles could increase calls for Sarkisian to give Lacey a meaningful opportunity.
Texas’ coaching staff must also consider the team’s broader needs. Improving protection, establishing offensive rhythm and making effective use of its receiving talent will all be important, regardless of who starts at quarterback.
The Ole Miss game could therefore become an important measuring stick for the Longhorns as they attempt to stabilize their season.
Will Steve Sarkisian Bench Arch Manning?
At this stage, Meyer’s comments represent an argument for considering a quarterback change rather than confirmation that Texas plans to bench Manning.
Sarkisian must decide whether Manning’s recent struggles are temporary or whether the offense would benefit from a different approach. Giving Lacey more first-team repetitions could provide useful information without requiring an immediate change.
There are reasons for Texas to remain patient with Manning, including his demonstrated ability to lead a comeback against an elite opponent. At the same time, consecutive losses and inconsistent offensive production make it reasonable for the coaching staff to evaluate every available option.
The decision will ultimately depend on what Sarkisian sees in practice and how he assesses the team’s chances of winning with each quarterback.
Final Thoughts
Urban Meyer‘s analysis has brought renewed attention to Arch Manning’s struggles and the growing pressure surrounding Texas football. The former championship coach believes Manning has regressed since his impressive finish against Ohio State and argues that the Longhorns should seriously evaluate their backup quarterback.
With KJ Lacey Jr. potentially receiving more first-team opportunities and No. 7 Ole Miss approaching, Texas faces an important decision about how to move forward.
Whether Sarkisian sticks with Manning or considers a change, the immediate priority is clear: Texas must find a way to improve its offensive performance and get its season back on track.
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