Steve Sarkisian provides insight to what he’s been ‘harping on’ with Arch Manning ahead of a big game against Florida
Saturday is the start of SEC play for Texas and a potential redemption tour for Arch Manning.
On Wednesday, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian sat down with the media during the SEC Coaches Teleconference. The first thing the head coach mentioned was starting SEC play on the road, the unique challenge, and getting things going in October.
“Exciting time for us. Obviously our SEC opener. I know a lot of other teams around the conference have kicked off conference play,” Sarkisian said. “There are some teams that are three games into conference play. Finally get an opportunity to play an SEC game and an SEC opponent.”
Arch Manning versus DJ Lagway, five-star versus five-star, sputtering hype train versus sputtering hype train – Saturday will decide a lot for both programs moving forward. Can Manning continue to stack days and positive performances? Is Lagway even 100 percent?
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The first SEC road test is this weekend for Texas and Arch Manning.
Steve Sarkisian is making sure Arch Manning has his blinders on.
“I think one of the things we’ve been harping on here is that as much as the attention swirls around him,” Sarkisian said. “He doesn’t have to play to that attention whether it’s positive, negative, whatever it may be.
“Focus on you, his teammates, focus on what he needs to do to prepare, focus on having some fun playing football. That’s when he’s at his best, and I think in the end that’ll serve as a real positive for him.”
Since Week 2, Manning has been much better. He has the most combined touchdowns in the league. But, it’s come at the feet of inferior competition in the non-conference. Now, the real schedule starts with the SEC opener on the road in one of the most hostile environments in the sport.
Texas defensive stat rankings
- 1st in scoring defense
- 1st in rush defense
- 2nd in pass defense efficiency
- 3rd in total defense
- 4th in pass defense
A lot has been made about Arch Manning and all the preseason hype.
Sarkisian talked about how he can relate and what happened to him during his time after junior college when he played at BYU.
“I was an emotional player. I did definitely show and exuded a lot of emotion. When I didn’t, that was probably out of the norm and out of character. That can probably be said for Arch that way,” Sarkisian said. “He’s got a lot of emotion inside of him that I definitely don’t want bottled up, so we’ve got to allow him to be who he is.”
Arch’s emotions better be in check Saturday. Even though Florida is 1-3, this is still a dangerous team. You’re going to have to go into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and pick up a road conference win. This is difficult no matter who you are. But for Manning to do it as a first-year starter will make it even more special.
