The college football world is in an uproar, and at the center of it all is Arch Manning, the once-heralded quarterback whose star seems to be dimming faster than anyone could have predicted. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is the pressure of living up to his legendary last name crushing him, or is he simply not the quarterback everyone thought he’d be? After the Texas Longhorns’ humiliating 29-21 loss to the unranked Florida Gators in Week 6, Manning’s future—and that of head coach Steve Sarkisian—is under intense scrutiny. Let’s dive into the emotional turmoil, the harsh realities, and the questions that have everyone talking.
The Longhorns, once hyped as a powerhouse, have crashed out of the AP Top 25, sitting at a disappointing 3-2. Manning’s performance against the Gators was a microcosm of his struggles: 263 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 16 completions out of 29 attempts might look decent on paper, but this is the part most people miss—his two fourth-quarter interceptions sealed the Longhorns’ fate, shattering any hopes of a comeback. Fans are booing, analysts are questioning his relevance, and even the idea of benching him is on the table. Yes, you read that right. The quarterback who was supposed to be the savior of Texas football is now fighting for his starting job.
On October 5th, Yahoo Sports’ ‘College Football Enquirer’ podcast didn’t hold back. Steven Godfrey bluntly stated, ‘This is a flawed offense with a quarterback who doesn’t look experienced and isn’t making good decisions. I don’t care what his last name is.’ Ouch. Meanwhile, Ross Dellenger shared a revealing quote from a teammate: ‘Arch told me he can’t wait to screw up in a game so everybody will stop thinking he’s the next great thing.’ Well, that moment seems to have arrived. Manning has thrown 5 interceptions in 5 games, and the Longhorns’ national championship dreams are in tatters.
But here’s the real kicker: What if Sarkisian decides to bench Manning in favor of backup QB Matthew Caldwell? Andy Staples from On3 floated this idea, asking, ‘Can Sark go and watch film, watch practice, and say, “You know what, I have to go with the guy who gives us the best chance to beat Oklahoma, and it’s not Arch Manning?”’ This isn’t just a football question—it’s a business question. Benching Manning could derail Texas’ NIL strategy and recruiting efforts, both of which are heavily tied to his presence.
Manning’s arrival at Texas reshaped the quarterback pipeline. Top prospects like Dia Bell committed under the assumption that Manning would be the starter until 2027. No one considered the possibility that he might not be good enough. Now, that assumption is being tested, and the pressure is magnifying. As Staples pointed out, ‘The reason you didn’t know who Texas’s backup was is because of Arch Manning.’
The media shares some blame too. ‘We all did it. We hyped him,’ Staples admitted, while Godfrey added, ‘It’s not fair to the kid… they actually ran away from celebrity until the Warby Parker checks started coming in.’ Manning’s ceiling remains high, but his indecisiveness in the pocket is a glaring flaw. ‘The thing that keeps coming to my mind when I watch him play is the indecisiveness,’ Staples noted.
Texas insiders have long insisted Manning will be fine, even projecting him as a future first-round pick. But Sarkisian’s all-in gamble on Manning—which included pushing out Quinn Ewers—now looks like one of the riskiest moves in the NIL era. And this is the part most people miss: If Manning fails, it’s not just his career on the line—it’s the entire Texas program’s reputation.
So, here’s the question for you: Is Arch Manning the victim of unrealistic expectations, or is he simply not cut out for the pressure? Should Sarkisian bench him, or is that a move that could backfire spectacularly? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over.
