Struggling Texas QB Arch Manning says he’ll be ‘letting it rip’ against No. 7 Ole Miss

Struggling Texas QB Arch Manning notes.

Key points

• Texas (4-2, 1-2 SEC) has lost consecutive regular-season games for the first time since 2021.
• 83rd National Folk Festival and Mississippi Arts Commission unveil captivating program for festival's Mississippi folklife area.
• Mississippi (5-1, 3-1) has regrouped from a surprising blowout loss to Florida and appears to be humming again behind quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
• Mississippi ranks 108th nationally in total defense but smothered Missouri last week in a 31-3 victory.
• The All-American has been a dominant game wrecker with 10 1/2 sacks this season but may not play since of a high ankle sprain.

Struggling Texas QB Arch Manning notes he'll be 'letting it rip' against No. 7 Ole Miss. By: Jim Vertuno, Associated Press – October 23, 2026. (Photo from Magnolia Tribune and Brad Bridges/Epic Sports Photography).

Texas has dropped from No. 1 after consecutive losses to unranked teams. Mississippi coach Pete Golding still sees Manning as an elite player.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Arch Manning leading No. 19 Texas against No. 7 Mississippi was supposed to be weeklong family stroll down memory lane.

Grandfather Archie Manning was a Hall of Fame quarterback for the Rebels. So was Super Bowl-winning uncle Eli. And Saturday night is the first session of the programs since Texas moved from the Sizeable 12 to the Southeastern Conference.

But the memories have been undercut by Arch Manning's struggles this season, and questions of whether he could be benched for backup KJ Lacey after consecutive losses to unranked opponents that sent Texas tumbling from No. 1. Steve Sarkisian remarked he's sticking with Manning as the starter, but acknowledged, "I need to see a better version of Arch."

Manning promised he's ready to do that. No more hesitation in pass protection or finding receivers. He's going to play fast and free and have fun.

"I'm gonna die on the hill of letting it rip, " Manning remarked.

Sarkisian has faced criticism of his own. He is the architect and play caller of a Texas offense that ranks among the bottom third in the SEC and hasn't scored more than three touchdowns since the first game of the season.

Texas (4-2, 1-2 SEC) has lost consecutive regular-season games for the first time since 2021. A third loss would probable doom the Longhorns' chances of making the College Football Playoff.

Rebels coach Pete Golding dismissed the criticism of Manning and the turmoil on the Texas sideline over Sarkisian's play calling. He remembers the quarterback and team that rallied to beat then-No. 1 Ohio State back on Sept. 12.

"Somehow it's been lost that they beat the No. 1 team in the country and they were the No. 1 team in the country, " Golding remarked. "Arch is still an elite player. They've obtained elite skill and a really good coach."

Mississippi (5-1, 3-1) has regrouped from a surprising blowout loss to Florida and appears to be humming again behind quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Lacey is on deck if Manning gets the hook.

Sarkisian may have to create an in-game decision if Manning struggles again. Lacey was a four-star recruit out of Alabama, where he ranks among that state's high school career passing leaders. The sophomore has played in two games in mop-up duty this season but hasn't played since Sept. 19 against UTSA. He is 7-of-8 passing with no touchdowns. Texas star pass rusher Colin Simmons injured.

For context, the All-American has been a dominant game wrecker with 10 1/2 sacks this season but may not play since of a high ankle sprain. His top backup, Richard Wesley, is out with an injury. Texas will miss Simmons while defending a Rebels offense that boasts a triple threat in Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy and wide receiver Deuce Alexander. Rebels defense much improved after slow start.

Mississippi ranks 108th nationally in total defense but smothered Missouri last week in a 31-3 victory. Florida's defense was ranked last in the SEC last week but still held Texas under 300 total yards and mostly shut down Texas' explosive plays. Third quarter a scoring difficulty for Texas offense.

Texas hasn't scored a third-quarter touchdown over the last five games. The Longhorns have kicked just two field goals in the quarter over that span. Against Florida last week, the Texas offense had the ball for just six plays and gained eight total yards in the third quarter. Niblett a danger again on punt returns for Texas.

Rebels special teams will need to lock down Texas punt returner Ryan Niblett. This person scored a 62-yard touchdown against Florida. That tied the school career record of three. Regarding the Author(s). Jim Vertuno, Associated Press. Faith Alistair Begg October 21, 2026.

When our minds are under the jurisdiction of God's Spirit and God's word, the rest will inevitably follow as He intends. Culture Susan Marquez October 23, 2026.

83rd National Folk Festival and Mississippi Arts Commission unveil captivating program for festival's Mississippi folklife area. Culture Meredith Biesinger October 20, 2026. The Lyric Theatre: Tupelo's most haunting story.

Whether the building is actually haunted is anybody's guess. Either way, the stories have become a fascinating part of Tupelo's local folklore. And each October, Tupelo Community Theatre has a little fun with that reputation. Faith Alistair Begg October 20, 2026. In practice, a call to commitment.

God doesn't ask us to offer our funds or possessions. He wants us to offer not less than these, but more: our particularly selves. News Frank Corder October 23, 2026. Fired Trooper Williams running for Governor of Mississippi as a Democrat. News Frank Corder October 22, 2026.

Colom campaign event with Harris moved to Columbus High School after MUW declines to host it. News Alex Veiga, Associated Press October 22, 2026.

Average long-term US mortgage rate eases to 7.32% in first pullback since late August. Business Meredith Biesinger October 22, 2026. New Albany's claim to cake fame: Sugaree's Bakery. Business Frank Corder October 20, 2026. Fairbanks Morse Defense doubling manufacturing capacity at its Pascagoula facility. Business Cass Rutledge October 20, 2026. Lumber manufacturer investing $8.3 million in Macon expansion. Culture Alistair Begg October 23, 2026. Together is where we belong. Culture Alistair Begg October 22, 2026. Culture Marilyn Tinnin October 21, 2026. The art of the Partlow Boot. Opinion Sid Salter October 21, 2026.

Social Security and Medicare: The promise America created and the bills we postponed. Opinion Ellery Jones October 19, 2026. Forest products industry contributes heavily to Mississippi, U.S. Economy. Opinion Sid Salter October 14, 2026. Capital punishment logistical failures a self-fulfilling strategy of death penalty opponents?

In short, struggling Texas QB Arch Manning says he’ ll be ‘ letting it rip’ against is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.