‘I kind of like being disregarded’: Arch Manning sends a message to his critics

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has spent his entire football life as one of the most hyped players in the sport, from his days as a top recruit to entering this season as a Heisman Trophy favorite. But after back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Florida, he found himself in an unfamiliar spot this week, with talk swirling that he could lose his starting job.

Manning responded by scoring the go-ahead touchdown in Saturday night's 34-27 win over No. 7 Ole Miss. And afterward, he admitted that he has actually enjoyed being doubted for a change, saying he actually kind of likes "being disregarded."

Texas lost to Oklahoma and Florida by identical 27-24 scores, and Manning was at the center of both. He threw two fourth-quarter interceptions against the Sooners, then fumbled on Texas' final drive against the Gators with the Longhorns near midfield and less than two minutes left.

After the Florida loss, head coach Steve Sarkisian said that "everything is going to be evaluated" as he didn't rule out the possibility of making a quarterback. This led to backup KJ Lacey Jr. seeing a big increase in first-team reps as Texas began preparing for a potential change . Sarkisian also reportedly warned Manning that he would make a change unless he performed better.

Needless to say, the pressure took its toll. Manning said that he went to his parents' house the day after the loss to Florida.

"It was a hard Sunday, I went over to their place and damn near bawled, cried to them," Manning said, via Yahoo Sports .

On Saturday, Manning played nearly the entire game, exiting for just one play for a mandatory medical check. Texas jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead, blew it, and then held on after Manning ran in the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.

After the game, Manning said he had embraced being in a different position.

"I've been hyped up all my life, preseason and all that stuff," Manning said. "I think I kind of like being disregarded."

Still, it wasn't a perfect night. Manning turned the ball over three times, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble on Texas' first possession of the second half.

To make matters worse, Texas lost star left tackle Trevor Goosby to a leg injury in the first half, and he had to be carted off the field. Wide receiver Cam Coleman also left with a shoulder injury in the second half. Sarkisian didn't have an update on either player, but said neither "looked very good."

The win keeps Texas at 5-2, and a loss would have put the Longhorns on the brink of missing the College Football Playoff for the second straight season. They're now one of eight SEC teams with two conference losses.

Needless to say, it's good that Manning enjoys the pressure, because the Longhorns are probably going to be feelin it the rest of the season, too.