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Paul Finebaum is pointing fingers in Texas.
As the Arch Manning hype has turned lukewarm halfway through the season, the college football analyst feels there are reasons beyond the young quarterback for why he has not met expectations as a Heisman Trophy candidate and potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Finebaum is looking at Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.
“I’m beginning to wonder if Arch Manning should even start. I know he will, and he’s capable of leading them to a win, but I blame Sarkisian for every aspect of this,” Finebaum said on “The Matt Barrie Show” this week.
“It’s terrible. It’s embarrassing what you’ve done to Arch Manning. And I wonder if he’s going to regret the day that he went to play for Steve Sarkisian,” he added.
It was reported Monday that Texas will be giving backup quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. more first-team reps in practice this week.
Although Manning is set to start this Saturday against No. 7 Ole Miss, the decision by the team puts his spot under center in jeopardy.
The Longhorns (4-2) have dropped two straight games to unranked SEC foes Oklahoma and Florida.
Manning threw a pair of interceptions against the Sooners, while the Gators were playing with a backup quarterback and had allowed 83 points in their previous two games.
In each of the last two games, Manning has had a turnover on the final drive.
Texas has plummeted from No. 1 to No. 19 in the AP Poll over the last two weeks.
Finebuam added Sarkisian has made an “absolute mess out of the most talented team in the country.”
Sarkisian has backed up his second-year starter to the media, but admitted Manning has more to give.
“I think there’s no doubt about it: Arch can play better for us,” he said Monday. “He’s our starter, but I need to see a better version of Arch Manning.”
In six games, Manning has thrown 1,295 yards for 11 touchdowns with five interceptions.
He has only thrown over 300 yards in one game, in Week 1 against Texas State.
If the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning doesn’t find a spark soon, his draft position could be heavily affected if he decides to declare in 2027.