Paul Finebaum blasts Steve Sarkisian over ’embarrassing’ handling of Arch Manning

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning entered the season with Heisman Trophy expectations and in the running for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Halfway through the season, Manning hasn’t lived up to the hype, and college football analyst Paul Finebaum placed the blame on head coach Steve Sarkisian.

“I’m beginning to wonder if Arch Manning should even start. I know he will, and he’s capable of leading them to a win, but I blame Sarkisian for every aspect of this,” Finebaum said on The Matt Barrie Show.

It’s terrible. It’s embarrassing what you’ve done to Arch Manning. And I wonder if he’s going to regret the day that he went to play for Steve Sarkisian,” Finebaum said.

Finebaum also said that Sarkisian has made an “absolute mess out of the most talented team in the country.”

Texas has dropped two straight games to Oklahoma and Florida, and Manning threw a pair of interceptions in the Red River Rivalry loss to the Sooners on Oct. 10.

After the loss to Florida on Oct. 17, it was reported that Texas is giving freshman QB KJ Lacey Jr. more first-team reps at practice, although it remains to be seen if Manning is going to get benched anytime soon.

Whether or not Manning can turn it around is another question, but Paul Finebaum certainly didn’t hold back on placing the blame right on the shoulders of Steve Sarkisian.