Arch Manning and Texas entered the 2025 college football season with a golden opportunity to make noise. However, Ryan Day and Ohio State had other plans with a week one win over the Longhorns.
Despite the early setback, No. 7 Texas bounced back with Manning leading the charge in a 38-7 win over San Jose State on Saturday. But the slow start has critics coming after Manning and questioning if Texas is really back?
During an appearance at the Knoxville Quarterback Club on Monday, former Georgia quarterback and current ESPN analyst Aaron Murray let the world know he's not on the Manning bandwagon.
"I think Arch Manning is pretty average," Murray said via USA TODAY Sports. "Don’t tell his uncle that. Very average, to be honest. I am not scared of Texas. I am not scared of Texas’ offense. I don’t think when Arch plays Oklahoma and Georgia and whoever else on their schedule has a good defense. That the offense is going to have much success. I don’t really believe Texas is a big, big threat to winning a national championship.”
There's another side of this argument as well. Is Manning playing hurt? There was one noticeable replay in the ESPN broadcast against San Jose State where he grimaced in pain after letting off a low throw. Everyone involved, including Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, have downplayed Manning being injured, but there's definitely smoke.
The Longhorns host UTEP on Saturday (4:15 p.m./TV:SECN) before hitting the start of their SEC schedule.
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