Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte defended Arch Manning and coach Steve Sarkisian this week as the Longhorns absorb criticism following back-to-back losses to unranked opponents. “Rome is not burning,” Del Conte said, pushing back on the idea that the program is in crisis just two weeks after Texas sat at No. 1 in the national polls.
Texas has dropped 18 spots in the AP Poll since that ranking, falling to No. 19 after losing 27-24 to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry and then by the same score to Florida the following week. The Longhorns are 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the SEC heading into a Saturday night matchup with No. 7 Ole Miss at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Del Conte’s Response To The Pressure
Del Conte’s comments came as outside scrutiny intensified around Manning’s turnover issues and Sarkisian’s offense. “Expectations should be high. They’re high for us, too.
That’s why you come to University of Texas,” Del Conte said. “But the noise is a lot greater outside than it is in our building, than it is on the Forty Acres.”
The athletic director has stood behind Sarkisian through adversity before. During a five-game losing streak in 2021, Del Conte wrote a letter asking fans not to “splinter or pull apart.” That history adds weight to his latest public backing of the coaching staff, even as the current slide has come with a far higher preseason ranking attached to it.
What It Means For Manning And Sarkisian
Sarkisian has continued to back his quarterback publicly while acknowledging the offense has underperformed. “I think there’s no doubt about it, Arch can play better for us. He’s our starter,” Sarkisian said.
“I need to see a better version of Arch Manning. I need to see a better version of a lot of guys on our offensive football team right now.”
Sarkisian also described Manning’s mental state following the Florida loss. “I would use the word edgy, and I like it,” Sarkisian said. “At some point, he’s gotta fight back. And the best way for him to fight back is going out and playing really good football with his teammates.”
Manning has thrown five interceptions through six starts this season, compared with seven across 13 games last season. He was sacked five times against Florida, the last a strip-sack that ended Texas’ final possession, and the Longhorns ran just 50 offensive plays that game, their fewest under Sarkisian. Manning has taken ownership of the turnovers.
“I think we got to do a better job, especially me not being loose with the ball,” he said. “I think we beat ourselves a lot tonight.”
Context Behind The Scrutiny
The pressure on the Texas program is not limited to coaching statements. Backup quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. has received more first-team reps in practice over the past two weeks, though Sarkisian is expected to start Manning against Ole Miss. Texas missed the College Football Playoff in 2025 after also starting that season at No. 1, and players said in July that anything short of a national championship would be a disappointment this fall.
Outside voices have added to the debate over where responsibility lies. Pundit Brian Kelly placed blame on the offensive scheme rather than Manning. “Look, he’s your quarterback,” Kelly said, according to USA Today.
“They’re not going to bench him unless there’s just a total meltdown… you can’t tell me that you can’t fit this offense to Arch Manning.” Texas ranks 13th in the SEC in rushing offense, and its offensive line has struggled to open running lanes, while two prized transfer tailbacks have underperformed.
Texas is averaging 22.7 points per game against SEC opponents this season. Manning has shown different efficiency depending on pressure, going 17 of 29 for 181 yards, one touchdown and one interception when not blitzed, a 58.6% completion rate at 6.2 yards per attempt, according to Sporting News.
What’s Next
Texas hosts No. 7 Ole Miss on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with another loss potentially eliminating the Longhorns from College Football Playoff contention. Sarkisian has framed the week as a turning point.
“Let’s be part of the solution. Let’s go 1-0 this week and let’s get to 5-2,” he said. Manning echoed that approach to his own play.
“I haven’t put good film on tape the past five weeks. I’m going to be better,” he said.
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