AUSTIN, Texas — Texas quarterback Arch Manning leading the 19th-ranked Longhorns into Saturday’s home game against No. 7 Ole Miss was supposed to be a weeklong family stroll down memory lane.

His grandfather Archie set Southeastern Conference records while playing quarterback for the Rebels six decades ago. Uncle Eli took his turn taking snaps at Ole Miss in the early 2000s on the way to becoming a two-time Super Bowl MVP. And this is the first meeting of the programs since Texas moved from the Big 12 to the SEC ahead of the 2024 season.

But the memories have been undercut by Arch’s struggles behind center this season, and questions of whether he could be benched for backup KJ Lacey after consecutive losses to unranked opponents Oklahoma and Florida sent Texas tumbling from No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll. Steve Sarkisian said he’s sticking with Manning as the starter, but the Texas head coach also acknowledged: “I need to see a better version of Arch.”

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

“I’m going to die on the hill of letting it rip,” Manning said.

Sarkisian, now in his sixth season in Austin, 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 16-team SEC and hasn’t scored more than three touchdowns since a 59-7 victory against Texas State in the opener.

Texas (4-2, 1-2 SEC) has lost consecutive regular-season games for the first time since 2021. A third loss would likely doom the Longhorns’ chances of making the College Football Playoff after back-to-back semifinal trips.

Ole Miss (5-1, 3-1) has regrouped from a surprising blowout loss at Florida on Sept. 26 and appears to be humming again behind quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

Maybe that’s part of the reason why 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 Ohio State back on Sept. 12, when the Big Ten’s Buckeyes were atop the rankings.

“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 said. “Arch is still an elite player. They’ve got elite skill and a really good coach.”

Ole Miss 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 the Longhorns when it came to explosive plays.

Texas hasn’t scored a third-quarter touchdown over the past five games. The Longhorns have kicked just two field goals in the period over that span. Against Florida, they had the ball for just six plays and gained 8 total yards in the third quarter.

Sarkisian may have to make 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 the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is 7-of-8 passing with no touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the Texas defense could be missing a big piece with star pass rusher Colin Simmons injured.

The 2025 All-American has been a dominant game wrecker with 10 1/2 sacks this season but may not play because of a high ankle sprain. His top backup, Richard Wesley, is already out with an injury, so Texas would really miss Simmons while dealing with an offense that boasts a triple threat in Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy and receiver Deuce Alexander.

Where special teams are concerned, the Rebels will need to lock down Texas punt returner Ryan Niblett, who scored a 62-yard touchdown against Florida. That tied the program’s career record of three punt return touchdowns.