Wetzel: It's now or never for Steve Sarkisian and Arch Manning
Weeks after Texas sat at No. 1, Arch Manning is fighting for his job and Steve Sarkisian is fighting for his season. ESPN's Dan Wetzel says it is now or never.
It was supposed to be all victories and commercials by now for Steve Sarkisian and Arch Manning. Instead, the Texas head coach and his quarterback find themselves fighting for their season — and, perhaps, their futures.
Just weeks ago, Texas sat atop the rankings after marquee wins over Ohio State and Tennessee. Now the Longhorns are reeling from consecutive losses to unranked teams, and the marriage that was meant to define the program's future is under siege from every angle.
Manning, in what was supposed to be a season for the ages — scouts once assumed he would be in the NFL by now — has thrown just 11 touchdowns against five interceptions. This week ESPN reported that backup KJ Lacey would take more first-team practice reps, and nobody would be shocked if the redshirt freshman sees the field. There is even speculation Manning could transfer at season's end.
The quarterback is not hiding from any of it. "I told [Sarkisian] I expect myself to play better," Manning said. "I haven't put good film on tape for the last five weeks, and I'm going to be better." Sarkisian, feeling the heat himself, added: "I need to see a better version of Arch Manning."
Their next test could hardly be more pointed. Ole Miss, the looming opponent, is the program's polar opposite — built around a once-unheralded Division II transfer quarterback, while the Longhorns' endless hype and money have yet to buy a championship. Manning says the fix is simple: "Just letting it rip. Our backs are against the wall right now."
Source: ESPN — Top Headlines — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.