ESPN’s Paul Finebaum was one of the biggest Arch Manning supporters going into the season, but he pivoted after Saturday. Manning’s debut this year was underwhelming against Ohio State as No. 1 Texas fell 14-7.
But Finebaum called it “terrible.” But, as he advised fans to do, he did not hit the panic button regarding the Longhorns’ QB.
One game does not make a season for Manning and Texas. But Finebaum was certainly disappointed after the preseason hype.
“He was underwhelming, he was sub optimal, just fill in the blank here. Mostly he was terrible,” Finebaum said on SportsCenter. “And I think the biggest problem he had was the other side completely outmatched him, not only offensively, physically, but scheme wise. And I know a lot of people are hitting the panic button and saying that he will be a bust. He was a bust in his first game of this season, but I don’t think he will be long term in the 12 team playoff (era). There is a lot of time to get better, and I believe he will.”
Manning was just 17-of-30 passing for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Like a veteran quarterback, Manning put the onus on himself.
“Ultimately, not good enough,” Manning said postgame. “Obviously you don’t want to start off the season 0-1. They’re a good team. I thought we beat ourselves a lot, and that starts with me. I’ve got to play better for us to win.”
The expectations were nuts coming in and they’ll certainly be the same moving forward. If not expectations, it’s the bashing of Manning because he didn’t live up to the hype in one game. Head coach Steve Sarkisian discussed that topic postgame.
“For Arch, the expectations were out of control on the outside,” Sarkisian said, via Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger. “I’d say let’s finish the book before we judge him. That’s one chapter.”
To Sarkisian, though, there were glimpses of Manning’s potential throughout the contest. That’s why he’s optimistic about the former top-rated recruit’s future.
“We saw some real flashes and glimpses of the type of player that he’s going to become here,” Sarkisian said. “Sure, he’s going to watch the tape and say ‘man, I wish this. I wish that.’ That’s the life of a competitor, but I think there’s a lot to hold onto of what the future is going to look like for Arch Manning here.”
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