It wouldn't be the week after a Texas loss without a debate about Arch Manning.
The Longhorns saw their perfect start to the season come to an end Saturday with a loss to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, and some backbreaking decisions by the junior quarterback played a significant role in the result.
Manning threw a pick-6 with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter to give the Sooners the lead, then he threw a second interception in the final minute as Texas was approaching field-goal range with a chance to escape with a victory. Instead, Oklahoma stole a win as Tate Sandell made a game-winning kick in the final seconds.
Manning also threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns against an outstanding Oklahoma defense, but his costly turnovers outweighed the positives. Head coach Steve Sarkisian thinks the criticism of Manning that followed has a great deal to do with his famous last name.
"I think if you took the name off the back of his jersey and you said, 'Here's Joe Smith playing quarterback at the University of Texas, and here's a guy who's beaten four top-10-ranked teams in his last 13 starts,' we'd be praising the guy," Sarkisian told reporters Monday. "The expectations are high for him, but he understands that. The expectations are high for all of us. We gotta put our nose back to the grind and get back to work."
Manning undoubtedly remains one of the most talented quarterbacks in the SEC, and his ceiling has led scouts to label him a top-three NFL draft pick. Manning's performance in the Longhorns' Week 2 comeback win over Ohio State demonstrated his potential, but his lack of consistency, as shown versus Oklahoma, has frustrated Texas fans.
On the Sooners' pick-6, Manning broke the first rule of quarterback play by launching an ill-advised throw across his body into double coverage, and the turnover gave life to an Oklahoma team that had struggled mightily on offense. Manning, who's thrown at least one interception in four of five games this year, responded in strong fashion by leading a touchdown drive to tie the game. But his second pick proved to be a mistake that the Longhorns couldn't come back from.
Manning's name draws attention from supporters and critics alike. While he's put strong film on tape at times, his family lineage holds just as much weight in discussions about him potentially being a top draft pick.
Despite the loss, Texas remains firmly in control of its own destiny in the playoff picture as a reeling Florida team comes to Austin on Saturday. Regardless of the result, another debate around Manning is likely to follow.
