Steve Sarkisian says he’s ‘never felt better’ about Arch Manning ahead of Week 10 game
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Steve Sarkisian knows that Arch Manning is always going to be front and center during his sessions with reporters, and Monday was no different as No. 10 Texas began the leadup to Saturday afternoon’s huge Week 10 showdown at No. 19 Mizzou.
Both 6-2 teams who are also both 3-2 in the SEC are angling for a shot at an SEC title and, more importantly, trying to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive while avoiding a third loss.
All of this pressure puts even more of a spotlight on the already high-profile Manning, whose famous last name and sometimes inconsistent play makes him a lightning rod for attention in Austin and around college football.
The Horns and Tigers will clash at noon ET on ESPN, and Manning will be front and center on the field just like he’s always front and center when Sarkisian takes the microphone with reporters. Manning’s QBR sits at just 56.4 for the season, which only ranks 64th in the country. He’s thrown for 1,727 yards this season with 15 touchdown passes, but Manning has also tossed 7 interceptions.
Despite those uneven stats to go with Manning’s shaky play, Sarkisian was nothing but a positive ray of light on Monday when discussing his quarterback.
“Honestly, I’ve never felt better about Arch Manning than I do this week,” Steve Sarkisian said. “This guy is ready, and he’s a warrior, he’s tough, his competitive spirit is extremely high. … What a difference a few weeks make, you know?”
The Week 10 matchup will be another crossroads for Texas and Manning, who will try on Saturday to back up his head coach’s bold words from Monday.
Will the narrative on Manning change after Saturday’s game? A passionate burnt-orange-colored fandom and all of college football will be watching closely, as Manning is always watched.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
