On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
One of the biggest stories in college football this season is unfolding in Austin, Texas. Arch Manning, the grandson of college football legend Archie Manning and the nephew of NFL icons Peyton and Eli Manning, is set to take over as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.
Manning was the top overall recruit in the 2023 class and is considered one of the best prospects of all time. In his first two seasons, he primarily served as the backup to Quinn Ewers. However, Manning did have a stretch where he played three quarters of one game and then started the next two after Ewers suffered an injury.
During those three games, Manning threw for 806 yards, completed eight touchdown passes, and recorded two interceptions, achieving a completion rate of 69.4%. He also rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Despite these impressive statistics, Paul Finebaum revealed on his show, "The Paul Finebaum Show," that he has some doubts about the Manning hype heading into 2025.
"Other than the hype, why are we so excited about Arch Manning?" Finebaum asked. "
Finebaum acknowledged that Manning has performed well in the games he has played. However, he is uncertain about Manning's ability to handle critical situations, such as facing a third-and-12 with the game on the line.
A similar scenario occurred last year for Texas. Instead of a third-and-12, it was a fourth-and-13 in overtime during the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. With the ball on Arizona State's 28-yard line, Ewers completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Mathew Golden, which tied the game. The Longhorns ultimately won 39-31 in the second overtime. This is the type of pressure that Finebaum questions whether Manning can withstand.
Texas and Manning are likely to encounter such high-stakes situations next season, as they face several challenging games, including matchups against the Ohio State Buckeyes to open the season on August 30, the Georgia Bulldogs, the Florida Gators, a neutral-site game against the Oklahoma Sooners and a home game against the Texas A&M Aggies.
More must-reads:
- Patriots have Drake Maye concern after comments by Steelers LB T.J. Watt
- ACC scheduling could mean even more bad news for Clemson
- The 'Multiple 30-TD pass NFL seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Trainer Robert Garcia Believes A Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford Rematch Could End Differently
Deion Sanders reveals when he believes Shedeur Sanders will start for the Browns
Just last week, it was reported that Shedeur Sanders did not want to be drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. With the No. 141 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Ravens intended to take Sanders, but he reportedly informed the team he was uninterested in joining them in Baltimore. The Ravens currently have cornerstone quarterback Lamar Jackson leading the team, meaning Sanders would have been a backup for many years to come. Those initial reports surfaced before the Cleveland Browns were set to take on the Ravens in Week 2 of the 2025 season. It was NFL insider Adam Schefter who initially reported on the interesting storyline. However, the pubic was granted more information about the situation from the father of Sanders, Deion Sanders, on the New Heights Podcast. "How in the world can someone fault him for saying or thinking, why in the world would I go back up Lamar [Jackson] for 10 more years?" Deion Sanders said. "Like, who comes in with that mindset?" Jackson has been a staple in Baltimore since taking over for current Browns quarterback, Joe Flacco, full-time in 2019. He was awarded two MVP awards in his career, both in which were unaimous, coming in 2019 and 2023. He is also the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win the award twice. "Where do these guys come from that sit on these platforms and say, 'Oh, you should've sat in behind and learned the game and been developed,'" Sanders said on the podcast. "When have the pros ever developed anybody? By the time you get to the NFL, they expect you to know what you need to do and to do it, or somebody else [is] gonna get in there and do it." Sanders further went on to elaborate on the draft process involving his son. He specified that both he and his son had spoken to Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' executive vice president of player personnel, during the draft. Ultimately, with the No. 141 overall selection, the Ravens listened to what the Colorado quarterback wanted and took offensive lineman Carson Vinson. So far in Cleveland, Sanders has not been given a chance to show what he is worth in the regular season. During preseason play, the 23-year-old completed 17-of-29 passes, good enough for 58.9%, and tossed for 152 yards. He did not turnover the ball at all while passing for two touchdowns; however, he was sacked seven times. The Browns currently have Sanders listed as the QB3 on the depth chart, with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel one spot ahead at QB2 and the veteran, Joe Flacco, as the starter. "You know, I got a prediction. I ain't telling nobody. I got a feeling when it's gonna go down," the former All-Pro defensive back said about his son getting time on the field. "But it's gonna go down this year. He's gonna get a shot." With Flacco at the helm, Cleveland currently sits 1-2 on the young 2025 campaign. He has struggled so far, passing for 631 yards and two touchdowns while turning over the ball five times. Against the Green Bay Packers this past weekend, he threw an interception late in the first half of play and finished the game with 142 yards through the air. Only time will tell whether or not the young Sanders will be given a chance to line up under center for the Cleveland Browns. Even if it does not happen in 2025, choosing the Browns over the Ravens gives him the best chance to see NFL snaps at this point in his career.
SEC schedule makers rob college football of historic Florida Gators rivalry, and they should be ashamed
Micah Parsons has savage response to Packers' loss to Browns
The Green Bay Packers are reeling after they blew a 10-0 lead at the start of the fourth quarter on Sunday. The Packers allowed the Cleveland Browns to score 13 unanswered points to win 13-10 in front of 65,470 fans at Huntington Bank Field. Following the game, defensive end Micah Parsons had a crude response to the comeback. "Sometimes, just like today, you s--- the bed," Parsons said via ESPN. "That's just the reality of it. It happens to the best teams. Even the best Super Bowl champs make mistakes, and they pay for it early. You go back to the history of the champions and who've they've played and games they should've won. It's just that competitive. "It's that hard to win. It's hard as hell to win football games. When you win football games, it's a celebration. But when you lose, it sucks." What went wrong for the Packers in loss to Browns Parsons and the Packers had a couple of major blunders in the final minute that they want back. Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus had a blocked field goal attempt that allowed the Browns a chance to get in range for a game-winning field goal. Parsons was called for a neutral zone infraction on the first play of the Browns' drive, allowing Cleveland to start the series from the Green Bay 48-yard line with 21 seconds remaining. Parsons apologized for the penalty, calling it "unacceptable." The All-Pro finished with two tackles. Parsons has extra motivation for avenging the loss against the Browns. The Packers are set to travel to play his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 4.
Former Boston Star Says a Single Absence Could Derail Red Sox Season
Jonathan Papelbon sent the warning that he thinks the Red Sox were delivered a blow they can’t recover from. He doesn’t think the Red Sox can simply patch the hole in their lineup as they fight for a playoff spot. “One player can derail a team tremendously, especially if it’s a leadoff hitter like Roman Anthony,” the former Boston closer told Vegas Insider's Ben Mendelowitz. “You can’t replace that.” Anthony, who went on the injured list earlier this month with a left oblique strain, remains without a clear timetable to return. Manager Alex Cora said Sunday that “not much has changed” in the rookie outfielder’s recovery. Anthony has been able to walk on a treadmill for up to 25 minutes and do bike work, but he’s still dealing with soreness. Originally, the expectation was a four-to-six-week recovery. With the calendar closing, the Red Sox may be running out of time to get Anthony back for the stretch run. The Red Sox take on the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays beginning Tuesday and then close out the season at Fenway Park against the Detroit Tigers. Papelbon, who earned a reputation for blunt honesty during his time in Boston, pointed to the way a single absence can ripple through a roster. “When a player that you can’t replace, or just fill in a gap, gets hurt, then you see weaknesses in the lineup,” he said. “Pitchers can navigate lineups easier without that player in there.” It’s not only about Boston’s side of things. Papelbon noted how opposing pitchers gain confidence just knowing they don’t have to see Anthony in the box. “Sometimes that can do wonders,” he said. Anthony had become a key spark at the top of the order. His combination of on-base skills and extra-base power gave the Red Sox a dimension they lacked in recent seasons. Without him, the offense has looked thinner, easier to game-plan around, and the team has struggled to put together consistent rallies. For now, the Red Sox wait. Cora said Anthony is “doing everything possible to hopefully get back.” But as Papelbon reminded, the lineup is different without him — and the gap is one Boston hasn’t figured out how to close.
Bills' Josh Allen could be in some hot water with the NFL for what he was caught doing during the Week 3 win vs. Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins on 'Thursday Night Football' to remain undefeated on the season. With losses by the New England Patriots and New York Jets on Sunday, the Bills sit atop the division with a showdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. While quarterback Josh Allen didn't put on his Superman cape with more than 400 yards of total offense, he was methodical and surgical, cutting through the Dolphins' defense en route to yet another victory over the divisional rivals. Allen made history in the contest, becoming the fastest player to reach 300 career touchdowns, including the postseason, but it wasn't all good news coming out of One Bills Drive in the victory. After taking a hit from Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks that resulted in a penalty and gave Buffalo a first down, Allen appeared to make a finger-gun gesture immediately after. While it may seem harmless, it's one of the biggest points of emphasis from the NFL heading into the season. Allen wasn't even flagged on the play, but that doesn't mean that the league won't come down on him for the celebration. Fast facts about Josh Allen's previous NFL fines 2019 - fined $7,017 for throwing the ball into the stands against the Miami Dolphins. 2021 - fined $15,000 after flicking the ball at a Kansas City Chiefs defender after a sack 2023 - fined $10,927 for pointing at a Cincinnati Bengals defender during a touchdown run The NFL is taking a hard stance on gun-related celebrations The NFL has expressed its intention to limit unsportsmanlike gestures during the game, specifically those that include shooting or brandishing a gun. NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson opened up on the new initiative in August. "Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating or either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133% so that is a point of emphasis." - Walt Anderson According to CBS Sports, Falcons wide receiver Drake London was fined $14,069 for appearing to shoot a large gun, New York Jets receiver Allen Lazard was fined the same amount after getting a first down in Week 4 of the 2024 season, and Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase was fined $19,697 for appearing to unholster a gun in a touchdown celebration last season as well. If Allen is fined, the NFL would need to make the official announcement along with its reasoning by Saturday, Sept. 27.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
