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- Will Arch Manning get benched? Explaining Texas QB depth chart as Steve Sarkisian faces pressure for change
Will Arch Manning get benched? Explaining Texas QB depth chart as Steve Sarkisian faces pressure for change
The question of whether Arch Manning will be benched has become the central drama of Texas football, a storyline as compelling as any in college sports this season. Despite entering the year as the preseason No.1 team with a generational talent at quarterback, the Longhorns find themselves at a precarious 3-2, their national title aspirations dimmed by losses to Ohio State and an unranked Florida. Manning, the former five-star prodigy and nephew of football royalty, has statistically underwhelmed, completing just 60 percent of his passes for 1,151 yards with 11 touchdowns against five interceptions through five games.His performance is a far cry from the Heisman-level hype that preceded him, drawing inevitable, if premature, comparisons to other highly-touted recruits who faltered under the bright lights. Yet, head coach Steve Sarkisian has shown no indication of making a change, a loyalty that speaks volumes about his coaching philosophy and the complex calculus of managing a quarterback room.After Manning threw two interceptions in the loss to Florida, he remained in the game, a clear signal from Sarkisian that the leash is long. This steadfastness isn't new; it echoes his handling of Quinn Ewers over the past two seasons, where Ewers retained the QB1 spot despite injuries that briefly opened the door for Manning.For Sarkisian, benching a quarterback of Manning's pedigree after a few rocky games could do more long-term harm than good, potentially shattering the confidence of a player he believes is central to the program's future. The depth chart behind Manning reveals why this isn't a simple decision.The primary backup, senior Matthew Caldwell, is a journeyman who began his career at Jacksonville State before stops at Gardner-Webb and Troy. While he possesses experience, having started Troy's final five games last season and completing a career-high 63.2 percent of his passes, he lacks the ceiling of a player like Manning. Caldwell is a safe, steady hand, but he doesn't represent the future of Texas football.Behind him is true freshman Karle 'KJ' Lacey Jr. , a talented 4-star prospect from the 2025 class, but throwing a raw freshman into the fire against a rival like Oklahoma could be a recipe for disaster.Further down is redshirt freshman Trey Owens, another 4-star signee who is still developing. Sarkisian's public comments have consistently defended his starter, focusing on Manning's intangibles—his 'contact courage' and toughness in the face of pressure—rather than just the turnover tally.After the Florida game, Sarkisian praised Manning's fight, emphasizing the respect he earned from his teammates by battling until the end in less-than-ideal conditions. This suggests the evaluation inside the program is more nuanced than the stat sheet implies; they are looking at pocket presence, leadership, and resilience, areas where they believe Manning is growing even through the mistakes.Historically, programs of Texas's stature face immense pressure to win now, but prematurely pulling a blue-chip quarterback can derail a season and a career. The situation evokes the early struggles of Peyton Manning at Tennessee, who threw more interceptions than touchdowns as a freshman before evolving into an NFL legend.The Longhorns' upcoming clash with Oklahoma is a season-defining moment. A strong performance from Manning could silence the critics and reignite Texas's campaign, while another multi-turnover game will intensify the calls for a change, testing Sarkisian's resolve and potentially forcing a reevaluation of the entire offensive strategy as they navigate the gauntlet of the SEC.
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