Nick Saban Says the Bench Can Motivate Arch Manning After Two Losses

• Nick Saban said on The Pat McAfee Show that Texas coach Steve Sarkisian told Arch Manning, “we can’t win with this guy,” if he plays the way he did in a couple of games, per CBS Sports.
• Saban called the bench “a pretty good motivator” for a competitor and said keeping the job is “up to Arch.”
• The No. 11 Longhorns are 5-2 and play Mississippi State on Saturday.

Saban Backs the Threat of the Bench for Texas Quarterback Arch Manning

Nick Saban once sat a starting quarterback at halftime of a national title game, and on Friday he explained why he thinks Texas should keep that option open with Arch Manning. Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, the former Alabama coach said Manning’s grip on the starting job depends on one person.

“I think that’s up to Arch,” Saban said.

Saban then described what he understands Sarkisian told his quarterback in a meeting. In Saban’s telling, the Texas coach said to Manning, “look, we can’t win with this guy,” meaning the player who struggled in a couple of games. Saban called a quarterback change a tough decision when a high-profile player is capable and has shown it at times. If Manning stops playing with consistency, he said, Sarkisian will keep the move in his back pocket.

Two Losses, Then an Answer Against Ole Miss

The pressure has a clear source. Texas lost 27-24 to Oklahoma and 27-24 to Florida, two games Manning helped lose with late, costly turnovers. The back-to-back defeats dropped the Longhorns from No. 1 to No. 19 in the national rankings, and Manning’s standing as the starter faced real doubt for the first time. He has been the Texas starter from the opening of the 2025 season and is a third-generation quarterback in his family.

Last Saturday he answered. Manning passed for 212 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more scores in a 34-27 win over No. 7 Ole Miss. He threw multiple interceptions in a game for the second time this season, and he made a costly mistake with the game tied, but Texas held on. It was the Longhorns’ third win this season over a top-15 opponent.

The backup did not get a chance. Before that game, Sarkisian said K.J. Lacey was taking more first-team reps in practice. Lacey never entered the game in relief of Manning.

Saban said he believes competitors respond to that kind of pressure. “I always say the bench is a pretty good motivator, especially if the guy is a good competitor. Which, I think Arch is,” Saban said. He added that the threat of losing the job can keep a player locked in for the rest of the season, and that Texas needs to win out for that to matter, which means Manning has to play well.

Saban Has Used the Bench Before

Saban speaks from experience. At halftime of Alabama’s 2018 national title game against Georgia, he sat Jalen Hurts and sent in Tua Tagovailoa, who led a comeback win.

What Texas Faces in November

The next test comes Saturday against Mississippi State. After that, the schedule turns demanding. The Longhorns travel to Missouri and LSU, both ranked, then close the regular season against Arkansas and Texas A&M. LSU is also in the SEC conversation this week, with Lane Kiffin joking about LSU’s kickoff time against Alabama.

The first College Football Playoff top 25 arrives Tuesday night from the selection committee. Manning is not the only quarterback in the spotlight this week; Arizona’s Noah Fifita says Seth Doege saved his career ahead of a return to Lubbock.

Saban’s message is simple. In his words, the job is up to Arch, and four games remain after Mississippi State.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.

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