The question arises: when will we witness the emergence of the Arch Manning who was projected to be a Heisman Trophy frontrunner and guide Texas to a national championship?
Is that idealized version even realistic?
These statements might seem premature as we approach the end of the year, but with one-fourth of the college football regular season completed, the Arch Manning experience has been less impressive than anticipated, even by those who were skeptical beforehand.
Sure, No. 7 Texas defeated UTEP 27-10 on Saturday. The victory was never in question. For the 2-1 Longhorns, the pivotal moments arrive on Oct. 4 with a trip to Florida, followed by a home game against No. 13 Oklahoma. These matchups will determine if they are contenders for a College Football Playoff spot or branded as the nation’s biggest letdown.
Based on Manning’s performance on Saturday, it seems more likely to be the latter.
Although preseason expectations were high, considering his lack of starting experience and a revamped offensive line, he is not an inexperienced player. This marks his third year with the Longhorns. A setback in Week 1 against Ohio State might be understandable, but shouldn’t there be noticeable improvement by Week 3 against UTEP?
Unfortunately, that progress wasn’t evident.
Manning’s passing statistics were subpar: 11-of-25 passing, 114 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The visual impression was even more concerning.
He held onto the ball too long. His throws lacked precision. He appeared anxious and uncertain in the pocket. His confidence seems diminished, prompting head coach Steve Sarkisian to adopt a more conservative offensive approach, reducing the demands on Manning.
That strategy might suffice against UTEP, but it won’t secure a national championship.
The Heisman talk should be put on hold. Manning is far from that level. The more immediate question is whether he can lead Texas to the CFP.
Perhaps this clarifies why the Longhorns refrained from playing him last season, despite Quinn Ewers’ injuries.
Manning wasn’t ready then, and his readiness remains questionable now.
UTEP, in their season opener, allowed 28 points in a loss to Utah State. Texas only scored 27, with Manning throwing 10 consecutive incompletions and facing boos late in the first half.
“I told Arch before the season, you’re not really a QB until they boo you,” Sarkisian commented to the SEC Network at halftime. “He got booed in the first half, now he can start playing.”
However, the second half didn’t show much improvement.
Texas gained some ground when Manning ran with the ball, gaining 51 yards on nine carries. But that won’t be effective against strong SEC opponents if he doesn’t pose a credible threat as a passer.
The season is long, and Manning needs time to adjust to his starting role. However, he is neither a typical freshman quarterback nor someone without experience. After three games, he needs to demonstrate significant growth.
This was evident in Texas’ uninspiring performance on Saturday and Manning’s inability to make positive plays through the air.
So far, the quarterback we’ve seen doesn’t match the expectations set by his name, his background, and Texas’ expressed confidence in his abilities. If Manning doesn’t improve soon, Texas risks fading from national prominence as quickly as any highly ranked team in recent years.
