Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has been at the center of some heavy criticism following Texas’ 27-24 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday. Manning struggled in the second half, throwing two late-game interceptions to put a Sooners offense that struggled with its consistency throughout the game in a position to win.
Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian attributed the criticism his quarterback has received to his last name, which he shares with his uncles Peyton and Eli Manning.
“I think if you took the name off the back of his jersey and you said, ‘Here’s Joe Smith playing quarterback at the University of Texas and here’s a guy who’s beaten four Top-10 ranked teams in his last 13 starts,’ we’d be praising the guy,” Sarkisian said in his monday press conference. “But the expectations are high for him. He understands that. The expectations are high for all of us. We’ve got to put our nose back to the grind and get back to work.”
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum called Sarkisian’s take “complete hogwash,” adding that he was not even sure Arch Manning would be starting at Texas if his name was Joe Smith. He has played that poorly in spots.”
The Athletic’s Jason Kirk was also scathing in his assessment of Sarkisian’s words.
“The coach’s choice of ‘Joe Smith’ as a blind-test code name for Manning turns out to be really apt,” Kirk wrote in a column.
“‘Joe Smith’ fits Manning because, despite how frequently it has felt like he is the most promising or overrated or over-hated QB ever, he really just plays like a ‘Joe Smith,’” Kirk added.
If supply and demand are anything to judge by, Longhorns fans are just as low on their quarterback at the moment. CBS Sports college football writer Shehan Jeyarajah reported on Wednesday that Manning’s jerseys were on sale for 50% off at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, TX.
Seen at Austin airport: https://t.co/dSJ8VrdQXr
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) October 14, 2026
At 4-1, Texas hasn’t even reached the halfway point of its campaign, meaning there’s still plenty of time for Manning and the Longhorns to hit their stride. Texas is firmly in control of its own destiny and in the driver’s seat to make the College Football Playoff, and you can rest assured that any Manning jerseys with a CFP patch won’t be on the clearance rack.
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