Paul Finebaum torches Steve Sarkisian for Arch Manning ‘Joe Smith’ comment: ‘Complete hogwash’
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Arch Manning discourse has always been a bit of a mess. The Texas Longhorns quarterback stunk up The Shoe in his 2025 debut, and struggled throughout the first half of last season, but played well down the stretch. This year has brought more of a mixed bag, leading to criticism. In response, Steve Sarkisian defended his signal-caller by saying people wouldn’t be dogging him if he had a different name.
Nobody can fault Sarkisian for having Manning’s back, but the manner in which he did infuriates Paul Finebaum. The SEC Network host, who bashed Manning after Texas’ loss to Oklahoma, lit into Sarkisian’s method of support during Wednesday’s episode of Get Up.
“That is complete hogwash, and Steve Sarkisian knows that… I mean, that’s one of the most absurd things I’ve ever heard Sarkisian say,” Finebaum said. “I’m not even sure Arch Manning would be starting at Texas if his name was Joe Smith. He has played that poorly in spots.”
ESPN analyst Jordan Rogers spoke on Manning’s expectations and play not matching up after Finebaum’s comments.
“There’s no doubt that the expectations that Arch are under are, in some ways, unfair… because of his last name,” Rogers said. “But when you just watch the tape, there’s inconsistencies with someone that everyone says is a first-round pick at quarterback… he’s a streaky player.”
The Longhorns hope Manning can get hot in the second half of the 2026 campaign and lead them on a deep College Football Playoff run. A matchup with a less-than-stellar Florida Gators secondary could prove to be the boiler for such a streak. Texas and Florida kick off at noon E.T. on Saturday (ABC).
