Week 1’s showdown between Ohio State and Texas was supposed to be the amazing debut of Arch Manning. Manning was called a generational QB and a Heisman finalist by many before the beginning of the season. However, after a week 1 ugly show from Manning, many have backed away from these claims for now.
Arch Manning Not Viewed as a Generational Talent Just Yet
“What Was He Doing as a Heisman Finalist?”
Stephen A. Smith believes that Manning can be a tremendous and generational talent, but not yet. The QB is incredibly unproven, having only started in a couple of games against UL Monroe and Mississippi State. In 2024, Manning only passed for 900 yards with nine TDs and two Interceptions. These aren’t terrible stats, but there’s also very little to tell from them. Manning’s first game saw him only complete 56.7 percent of his passes for 170 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Overall, the performance was lackluster, and Manning didn’t do well at all until the end of the game.
Stating that Manning is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy seems rather ridiculous, at least coming into the season. There are several quarterbacks across the country who are seasoned veterans capable of absolutely destroying opponents and winning the Heisman. Even players who aren’t QBs feel like reasonable Heisman finalists, more sensible than Manning at least.
Not A Generational Talent Yet
Smith never said that Manning wasn’t ever going to be a generational talent. Smith simply said that he isn’t yet… The expectations, in other words, need to be lowered for the Texas quarterback. Simply put, the Longhorns will face a lot of good teams this season, including the Georgia Bulldogs, Florida Gators, and Oklahoma Sooners. Manning will be tested, and then and only then will people know just how good a talent Manning is. Manning is still predicted to be a good QB this season and in the NFL anyway, but such expectations shouldn’t be just because of Manning’s name.
The pedigree of Manning is great, which is very accurate. But true talent doesn’t came from your grandpa or uncles, it comes from the individual person. If Manning’s last name wasn’t Manning, would he actually be seen as that good? Probably not. It should be known, though, that Manning can be the QB that everybody wants him to be. The question is, though, will he live up to such expectations?
This Could be the Season for the Longhorns
As for Texas, time is running out for the team to take advantage. This is the best team that Texas has had in years, even better than many of the teams in the early 2000s. However, in the SEC and with a QB with such lofty expectations, can Texas get through it all? There’s much standing in their way, from the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the playoff, Texas has a lot of work to do this season.
The Longhorns have seen a steady rise to glory under Steve Sarkisian, going from a disappointing stretch to a playoff team. However, can Sark and Arch take the Longhorns all the way to the top for the Longhorns’ fifth national title? Maybe…
Overall, Arch Manning is a QB capable of doing great things. However, expecting a very inexperienced kid to destroy the college football world on his way to becoming the number 1 pick in the NFL Draft seems a bit unlikely. Stephen A. Smith pointed this out very wisely by stating his two starts coming into the season weren’t anything compared to other players’ 36 starts or more. Manning can be great, but don’t expect anything until you see something. Don’t believe it until you see it.
Main Image: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
