Paul Finebaum Critiques Arch Manning’s Performance in Texas-Oklahoma Clash

Paul Finebaum voiced concerns over Arch Manning’s performance following Texas’ defeat to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. The Longhorns, previously ranked No. 1 nationally, lost 27-24 at the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma overcame a 10-point halftime deficit, intercepting Manning twice in the fourth quarter.

Finebaum, who once predicted Manning as a future Heisman Trophy contender, shared his doubts on “The Matt Barrie Show.” He stated, “We showed arrogance in believing that Arch Manning could do anything. And he almost did, except he finally got in the way of himself. I was really troubled by how he had played up to this point. I came away thinking, ‘I don’t know what this guy is going to do.’ Because he is not the elite player that we all tried to make him out to be.”

Manning did make significant plays during the SEC matchup, completing 19 of 31 throws for 260 yards and three touchdowns. However, the former five-star recruit has not reached stardom, averaging 7.7 yards per pass attempt in his junior year.

Finebaum has not seen enough consistency from the 22-year-old to consider him a top-tier quarterback. “He can be great in moments, as we saw near the end of the game when he threw that great play that set up the touchdown,” Finebaum remarked. “But he can just be downright stupid in others.”

While Manning led a 75-yard drive to tie the score at 24-24 with 3:35 left, Texas managed only 64 combined yards across four other fourth-quarter drives. His second interception in the final minute enabled Tate Sandell to secure the win with a 47-yard field goal at the buzzer.

Up next, Manning and the Longhorns will aim to recover when they host the Florida Gators on Saturday afternoon.