Arch Manning is facing growing scrutiny after Texas’ recent loss to Oklahoma. The young quarterback’s development became a talking point on ESPN’s "First Take." Stephen A. Smith delivered a blunt message about how Texas coach Steve Sarkisian should handle Manning moving forward.
Instead, he questioned whether Sarkisian was challenging the quarterback enough during a difficult period. Chris Canty offered a more balanced perspective. He acknowledged Manning’s mistakes but stressed that Texas has several problems to address.
Special teams errors and unnecessary penalties also contributed to the defeat. Manning threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns against Oklahoma. However, he also threw two interceptions.
One resulted in a pick-six, while the other ended Texas’ final possession. Oklahoma won 27-24 with a last-second field goal. The discussion also highlighted the expectations surrounding Manning because of his famous football family.
Smith argued that young quarterbacks must face tough coaching rather than excessive protection. He also questioned whether Sarkisian was balancing his responsibilities as a coach and his approach to developing Manning. Another panelist pointed out that improvement does not always happen in a straight line.
Manning needs time to develop, and his progress should be measured by how consistently he improves each week. Smith raises a fair point about accountability. Manning has the talent to become an excellent quarterback, but his decision-making must improve in critical moments.
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