Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning’s spot as the team’s starter might be in jeopardy after a rough performance in a 27-24 loss to Florida.
Manning went 14/20 on pass attempts for 173 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for 10 carries with 0 yards, and getting sacked five times for 29 yards lost, including a lost fumble to lose the game.
Manning had a QBR of around 20, a very low figure highlighting his struggles that the conventional passer rating ignores. But fans who watched the game could see his struggles clearly, and so could HC Steve Sarkisian.
Steve Sarkisian did not rule out benching Arch Manning after tough loss
Coach Sarkisian was directly asked if he would consider other starting QB options amid Manning’s struggles, with Sarkisian refusing to rule out that possibility in his answer.
“I just felt like we didn’t play good offensive football. We are not playing great offensive football, so everything is going to be evaluated.”
Manning had two fourth-quarter turnovers in a 27-24 loss against Oklahoma last week, and a lost fumble with two minutes left against Florida that killed Texas’ chances of sealing a win.
With Florida having one of the weaker pass defences in CFB this season, Manning’s inability to carve them up for effective points conversions is being highlighted.
Fans were seething at Manning after the loss
“I say this with seriousness. If Arch Manning gets drafted anywhere in the first 5 rounds, the NFL is a nepo baby system. Arch Manning is a bad football player; can we start being real?” said one fan about Manning’s NFL hopes amid CFB struggles.
“If Arch Manning is drafted in the first round, I’m going to need the FBI to do an investigation,” said another fan about Manning’s hopes as an NFL prospect.
“I like Arch Manning…. But he is not a quarterback. His mental slowness and inability to have a sixth sense of when to leave the pocket is on display each week. Do yourself a favour and invest in someone else before the season is over,” advised a fan to Texas.
“Prayers up for Texas quarterback Arch Manning. Nothing’s wrong with him… He just sucks,” said a fan.
“Arch Manning has set nepotism back by 100 years,” joked another fan.
The only viable backup option behind Manning is redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr., but he might be too raw to step in and deliver for a 1-2 (conference record) Texas side whose playoff aspirations might be over.
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