Sports · American Football · 1 hr ago
Urban Meyer says Texas should consider benching Arch Manning
Texas has lost two straight games, falling 27-24 to Florida after an identical defeat to Oklahoma.
The losses have raised questions about quarterback Arch Manning’s place as starter.
Manning led Texas to a 24-23 comeback win over then-No.
1 Ohio State in Week 2, but the team has since gone 1-2 in SEC play.
Former coach Urban Meyer said Manning’s confidence and play have appeared to decline.
He said Texas should consider turning to the backup if it improves its chances of winning.
Texas is due to face No.
7 Ole Miss in Austin this Saturday, and coach Steve Sarkisian has limited time to decide whether to change quarterbacks.
Urban Meyer said Texas should consider benching quarterback Arch Manning if his backup gives the team a better chance to win.
Texas remains 1-2 in SEC play after losing 27-24 to Florida, its second straight loss to an unranked opponent.
Coach Steve Sarkisian said the team’s offense would be evaluated, while Manning remained the starter.
Redshirt freshman KJ Lacey is expected to get more reps with the first team at practice this week, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Texas is due to face No. 7 Ole Miss in Austin on Saturday.
- Who
- Urban Meyer urged Texas to consider its quarterback options. Arch Manning is the starter, and KJ Lacey is his backup.
- What
- Meyer said Texas should consider benching Manning if the backup could help the team win.
- When
- Meyer spoke on Monday, October 19, 2026. Texas is due to play Ole Miss on Saturday.
- Where
- Austin, Texas, where the Longhorns are due to host Ole Miss.
- Why
- Texas has lost consecutive games to Oklahoma and Florida, and Meyer said he had seen unsettled footwork and a lack of confidence from Manning.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Manning led Texas to a 24-23 comeback win over then-No. 1 Ohio State.
Texas lost 27-24 to Florida, following a 27-24 loss to Oklahoma.
Meyer said Texas should consider the backup if he could help the team win.
KJ Lacey is expected to get more reps with Texas’ first team at practice, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Texas is due to face No. 7 Ole Miss in Austin.
- Florida loss
- 27-24
- Texas SEC record
- 1-2
- Manning vs. Florida
- 14 of 20 passes, 173 yards and one touchdown
- KJ Lacey
- Redshirt freshman backup quarterback
- Next opponent
- No. 7 Ole Miss
2 sources
What people are saying
If the backup can help you win, I’d think about it.
I just felt like we didn't play good offensive football and we're not playing great offensive football right now, so everything is going to be evaluated,
It's like, I have to evaluate everything.
Posts on X
Sources: Texas is expected to give an up-tick in first-team quarterback reps to redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr. this week in practice. Arch Manning still projects as the Texas starter. The uptick in Lacey’s reps is a signal that Texas could replace Manning if he continues to