As Arch Manning struggles, Texas reportedly expected to give redshirt freshman QB KJ Lacey more first-team reps this week

Texas is expected to give redshirt freshman quarterback KJ Lacey more first-team reps this week, ESPN's Pete Thamel reports.

Arch Manning has been the Longhorns' starting quarterback, but he has underperformed this season relative to the standards set for him as QB1 of one of the country's top teams.

Through six games, Manning has thrown for 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He threw seven interceptions all last season over 13 games.

Texas has lost back-to-back games. The Longhorns lost the Red River Rivalry to Oklahoma 27-24, then got beat at home last weekend by unranked Florida, 27-24.

In the loss to the Gators, Manning was 14 of 20 for 173 yards and a touchdown, but he also lost a fumble. The quarterback has three turnovers over the last three games.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian said , "I think there's no doubt about it. Arch can play better for us. He's our starter. I need to see a better version of Arch Manning." Sarkisian said after the loss to Florida that Texas would be evaluating everything. The head coach also confirmed that Lacey gets first-team reps every week.

Lacey is a redshirt freshman who attempted just one pass for Texas last season, completing a 7-yard pass. He has seen action in two games this year and is 7 of 8 for 63 yards. Lacey took the field in both of Texas' blowout non-conference wins early in the season, albeit sparingly.

This announcement doesn't automatically mean Manning will be benched, but it does mean Texas is at least helping Lacey prepare in case it happens.

If he is benched, Manning would be the latest star quarterback to be benched this year. Michigan chose to bench Bryce Underwood last weekend against Penn State, and backup Tommy Carr came in and led them to a win. Carr saw more time with the first-string during the Wolverines' practice on their off week before the game against Penn State.

Texas doesn't get much of a relief with this decision pending. The Longhorns will host No. 7 Ole Miss this week. Texas is currently 4-2, but 1-2 in conference play. The Longhorns were No. 1 two weeks ago and are now unranked ahead of their game against Ole Miss.