Arch Manning's Future: Nick Saban suggests benching could stabilize Texas offense
Former Alabama coach says the threat of losing the starting job to KJ Lacey may force the quarterback to play more consistently.
By William Turner ·
Nick Saban advised the University of Texas to treat quarterback Arch Manning like a competitive athlete who needs the threat of losing his position to improve his performance. Speaking on ESPN on Friday, the former Alabama head coach suggested that the Longhorns could use the bench as a primary motivator for Manning during the final stretch of the season.
Saban, who famously benched Jalen Hurts in favor of Tua Tagovailoa at halftime of the 2018 national title game, believes Manning is a great competitor. He argued that the possibility of not being entitled to the job will keep Manning motivated. Saban noted that Manning must play well for Texas to secure wins in the remaining games.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian reportedly met with Manning to communicate that the team cannot win with the quarterback's current level of play. Saban described this as a difficult decision for a coach managing a high-profile player who has shown capability at times. The former coach said Sarkisian would likely keep the backup option in reserve if Manning does not continue to play with consistency.
Manning's inconsistency has affected the Texas offense this season. In both of the team's losses, he made critical mistakes in the fourth quarter that shifted the game's momentum. He also made errors with the game tied against Ole Miss, though Texas managed to escape that contest with a win.
Backup quarterback KJ Lacey has played sparingly this season. Unlike Tagovailoa in 2018, Lacey has not faced the complexity of live SEC rounds in the same capacity.
The No. 11 ranked Longhorns (5-2) play Mississippi State on Saturday. They face a demanding schedule in November with trips to ranked Missouri and LSU. The season concludes with home games against Arkansas and Texas A&M.
Texas is currently included in updated College Football Playoff projections. A perfect finish would likely guarantee a CFP spot and potentially an SEC Championship appearance. A 4-1 record over the final five games would leave the team's fate to the selection committee's evaluation of their overall resume.
