Arch Manning showed progress against Oklahoma last week. Now the challenge is sustaining it. Texas needs him to be the steadying force that brings consistency to an offense that has looked uneven for much of the season. Saturday’s game at Kentucky will be another test of how far he’s come.
Here are the key areas that will determine whether Manning is trending in the right direction.
1. Quicker Red-Zone Decisions
Texas has struggled inside the 20, and much of that comes down to timing. According to CFBstats.com, the Longhorns have scored touchdowns on just 58 percent of their red-zone trips, the second-worst rate in the SEC. Manning’s reads have been a touch slow in those situations. Against Oklahoma, he missed Parker Livingstone wide open on an RPO because his eyes got there late.
He has to process faster this week. The ball needs to come out on time when there's lapses in the opposing defense's coverage. The more experience he gains and the more he trusts his reads, the better Texas’ red-zone efficiency will become.
2. More Consistent Accuracy
Manning can make every throw in the playbook. The issue has been repeating them. His accuracy fluctuates from drive to drive, and that inconsistency has kept the offense from finding rhythm.
Kentucky’s secondary will give him open windows, and he should have time to operate. The Wildcats rank last in the SEC in sacks, which means the pocket should be clean. With that advantage, it comes down to placement and rhythm. If Manning keeps his mechanics compact and delivers the ball in stride, the offense should look smoother from start to finish.
3. Sharper Pre-Snap Recognition
What happens before the snap has to improve. When Manning reads coverages early and anticipates rotations, he'll be able to play on time more consistently. When he’s late, the offense looks forced and often sputters.
This week, he has an opportunity to showcase growth in command. Recognizing coverage shells and leveraging matchups will show that he’s not just reacting but orchestrating. That’s the next step in his development.
The Bottom Line
Manning’s performance against Kentucky isn’t about creating highlights. It’s about control. If he processes quicker in the red zone, stays accurate throughout the game, and makes confident pre-snap reads, Texas’ offense will look closer to what it was expected to be when the season began.
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