Texas Looks for a Comeback as Arch Manning Faces Big Pressure

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is heading into one of the most important games of his time in Austin. After a tough 35-10 loss to Georgia, the Longhorns need a strong bounce-back win against Arkansas. Their College Football Playoff hopes are slipping, and all eyes are now on freshman quarterback Arch Manning.

Texas struggled badly in the fourth quarter against Georgia. The Bulldogs outscored them 21-0, turning a close 14-10 game into a blowout. One key moment came when Manning threw an incomplete pass on a fourth-and-6, ending a drive that Texas really needed. Georgia later added another touchdown on a four-yard run by Gunner Stockton to finish off the game.

After the loss, some critics pointed out a lack of physical play from Texas. Chris Phillips from SEC Unfiltered reminded fans of a past comment from Georgia’s Kirby Smart about toughness: “You’re not just getting checks at our place; we’re hitting people.” Phillips suggested this could be used to judge how tough Manning and this Texas team really are.

While Arch Manning didn’t play his best, he wasn’t the only problem. The Texas offensive line struggled, and the team failed to match Georgia’s strength. That’s concerning for a roster that the Houston Chronicle estimates is worth between $35 million and $40 million for 2025. With that level of talent and investment, fans expect wins.

Now the Longhorns face Arkansas, a team that is just 2-8 and sitting last in the SEC. Even though Arkansas has had a poor season, the pressure on Texas is still huge. A loss to the Razorbacks would raise major questions about the direction of the program.

Phillips called this matchup “a culture game for Texas,” meaning how the team responds will show what kind of identity Sarkisian has built. Texas is 7-3 right now, but this season was supposed to be about chasing a national title, not trying to recover from bad losses.

Rumors about Sarkisian’s future have grown, but he pushed back on Friday. “This is where I want to be,” he said, thanking fans and saying the team still has “more trophies to win.”

But words won’t be enough if Texas can’t beat Arkansas. Losing to Texas A&M later would be understandable, but losing to Arkansas would be a serious problem for Sarkisian’s future in Austin.

If Texas wants to calm the noise, Arch Manning must step up, and the team must play tougher football. Saturday will show whether the Longhorns are ready to fight back — or if the doubts around this program are real.

Also Read: Sherrone Moore Welcomes Jay Norvell as Michigan Opens New NIL Role