Arch Manning has endured a difficult stretch during Texas' two-game losing skid, with multiple costly fourth-quarter turnovers costing the Longhorns back-to-back losses to unranked opponents.
As Texas prepares for its Week 8 matchup against No. 7 Mississippi, Steve Sarkisian said his second-year starter has practiced with an "edgy" demeanor this week, perhaps a response to the increased pressure and criticism that have followed the Longhorns' recent struggles and double-digit collapses.
"And I like it. He is edgy right now," Sarkisian said on Thursday when speaking with reporters. "Somebody texted me today that we lost the 'aw shucks' kid, you know,
and we've created something else. I don't know if we lost him, we created this, you know? We did."
"... So we'll see what comes out of it. He’s edgy right now. And I appreciate that about him."
“He’s edgy right now and honestly I appreciate that about him. At some point he’s gotta fight back…”
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) October 22, 2026
Steve Sarkisian on Arch Manning in practice this week. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/1NPBSsjC1m
Manning, who holds a 14-5 record as Texas' full-time starting quarterback, committed a costly strip-sack fumble late in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to Florida, a turnover that stopped the Longhorns' comeback bid. In the aftermath, Sarkisian said he'd evaluate everything from an offensive perspective, which included Manning's status as the team's starting quarterback.
Sarkisian denied ESPN's report that Texas backup quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. would see an increase in first-team reps with the offense when speaking with reporters on Monday, saying Lacey Jr. wasn't getting more first-team reps than he normally does in a given week.
On Thursday, the sixth-year Longhorns coach said he appreciates the "edgy" side of Manning this week as the Longhorns look to turn the page and keep themselves in the mix for the College Football Playoff as a two-loss team. He also hinted that Manning is expected to start against Ole Miss.
"The best way to fight back is playing good football with his teammates and enjoying playing good football with his teammates. And so I'm looking forward to watching him compete Saturday," Sarkisian said.
Sarkisian also noted that Manning has had a "good week of work" in preparation for the Rebels, whose defense ranks 10th in the SEC in scoring (29.71 points per game) and dead last in the conference in total defense (390.0 yards per game).
"I think Arch has had a good week of work," Sarkisian said. "He’s prepared himself well, but like the team, he needs to play well."
Texas and Ole Miss kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steve Sarkisian reveals different Arch Manning ahead of Ole Miss: ‘He is edgy’
