Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning received a Joe Burrow comparison from Orangebloods’ account on X that didn’t sit right with some who witnessed the former LSU Tigers national champion live and in person at Death Valley.
TigerBait’s Preston Guy called Orangebloods’ parallel of Manning’s struggles this season to Burrow’s during the 2018 season “a silly comparison for so many reasons.”
“Joe Burrow transferred to LSU a few weeks before the season started and had to learn a whole new system and team. Arch Manning has been on one team and one coach for three seasons,” Guy wrote.
“And for those of us who actually watched these two play, you could see two very different players and very different reasons for their struggles. Burrow actually played much better than his numbers suggested. He was accurate and productive, he just needed some time to feel out his team. Arch Manning is throwing passes to heels.”
A 55% completion rate, 6 TDs, 3 INTs through three games, with one pick against every opponent, is a tough look. Tossing a pick against the Ohio State Buckeyes’ nation-leading defense in a 14-7 loss on the road at the “Shoe” is one thing. Doing the same against the San Jose State Spartans and UTEP Miners is where the problem lies.
Burrow winning the Heisman Trophy in 2019 should make comparisons to him off-limits for a player struggling that badly. There’s optimism in Austin, Texas, that Manning could get there, but there are some things you don’t speak out loud just yet.
In the age of receipts, Orangebloods put something out there that can age very poorly.
Then again, so did Guy.