Texas coach Steve Sarkisian finally sounds ready to put distance between himself and quarterback Arch Manning.
In a classic move of a struggling coach attempting a headfake, Sarkisian started shifting some blame onto Manning after a 27-24 loss to Florida.
Florida’s backup quarterback turned starter Tramell Jones Jr. outplayed Manning, whose late fumble sealed a Texas loss in a game it led by two touchdowns in the first half.
Sarkisian admitted some of his team’s problems stem from a “mentality issue.” What was his first clue? It should’ve been his team’s juvenile antics a few weeks ago in a narrow
win at Tennessee. He let the problems fester while the Longhorns proved themselves to be an unserious and undisciplined squad.
The problems extend to the quarterback.
After steadfastly defending Manning for weeks, Sarkisian finally came closer to acknowledging what most of us have been thinking for a while: Texas might need to move on from Manning.
Sark didn’t put it that bluntly, but he said “everything is going to be evaluated” after Texas suffered a second consecutive loss.
Does everything mean the quarterback, too?
“Everything means everything,” Sarkisian said.
Manning is going to drag Sarkisian’s coaching career to the bottom of the Colorado River if he keeps hitching himself to an average quarterback.
The trouble for Sarkisian is, he lacks magic-wand solutions.
Manning’s backup, Karle Lacey Jr., has limited experience. Putting the season in his hands, when Texas cannot afford another loss, sounds riskier than sticking with Manning.
Third-stringer Dia Bell was a blue-chip recruit, but he’s yet to appear in a game in this freshman season.
The hard truth is Texas’ best shot at the playoff probably remains with the turnover-prone, slow-processing Manning taking the snaps.
Whatever Sark decides about this season, he cannot let Manning return as starter next season.
Very little about Manning’s performance suggests he’s ready for the NFL, but he’s got nepotism going for him. Someone in the NFL would take a shot on him, and if that’s where he decides to head after this season, it gives Texas an out. Wish him well and reboot this offense with someone else next season.
But, what if Manning decides his pro stock could benefit from a fifth college season?
In that case, Sark must nudge Manning into the portal. If he brings Manning back as starter next season, he’s betting his future on a quarterback who hasn’t earned that trust.
Sarkisian’s buyout tops $50 million. Texas is among the schools that could afford such a figure, and if it misses the playoff, heat is coming in the coach’s direction. But, the smarter move probably would be to force Sarkisian to surrender play-calling duties and give this one more go in 2027.
Then, Sarkisian would need to ask himself: Is there a quarterback he’d trust his job with next season?
The answer to that question cannot be Manning. If it is, then Sarkisian is justcoaching for the buyout.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's senior national college football columnist. Listen to his podcast, "College Football Unfiltered." Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arch Manning is a Texas problem, and Steve Sarkisian is last to see it
