The offseason hype surrounding Arch Manning, once sky-high, is rapidly unraveling after his underwhelming performance this season. Heading into 2025, Arch carried huge expectations — top 2023 recruit, Manning heir, and even a preseason Heisman favorite. But Saturday’s game laid bare the growing frustration among Texas fans and media alike. In the 27-10 win over UTEP, Manning completed just 11 of 25 passes for 114 yards, throwing one touchdown and an interception. What stung most was a brutal stretch of 10 straight incompletions in the first half.

On the NightCap podcast, NFL greats Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, who share 14 Pro Bowl appearances between them, took turns poking fun at the young quarterback’s struggles. Sharpe laid out the numbers: “At halftime, Arch completed 5/ 16 of 69 yards, one interception. Frustrations mounted inside the stadium as [the] Bulls rang out following a 10th consecutive incompletion late in the first half.” Then he twisted the knife, adding, “You wouldn’t even have these expectations if his last name wasn’t what it was. So, stop playing.”

The exchange turned lighthearted when Johnson slipped in a punchline: “There’s one thing about it—I’m with you when you’re right. ’Cause there ain’t no point in going left.” That line drew laughter from both him and Johnson, turning Manning’s rough night into a running joke for the veteran duo.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Arch Manning, despite his clear talent and pedigree, might not yet be ready to carry the massive load of expectations that comes with the Manning name. Yeah, it’s a long season, and Manning deserves some time to settle into his new starting role. But honestly, he’s not some raw freshman anymore. After three full games with this squad, it’s time for him to take that next step.

What about Arch Manning’s dual-threat prowess?

Arch Manning’s 2025 showdown with UTEP wasn’t pretty, especially through the air. But his legs sure tried to keep the Longhorns afloat. Arch went just 11 of 25 for 114 yards, throwing one touchdown and one pick. But his legs were a different story. Arch showed he wasn’t completely out of the fight. He rushed in two touchdowns while scrambling hard for 51 yards on nine carries. Sharpe didn’t take much time pointing to that as well. “He had nine carries, 51 yards, two touchdowns,” he said. But Ochocinco had a different sarcastic reaction.

“Okay. Mr. Mr. Dual Threat,” he said with a smirk. With the offensive line struggling to create space and receivers sidelined by injury, Arch’s running ability kept Texas from completely stalling. One of his rushing touchdowns was an electrifying five-yard scramble just a second before halftime, giving Texas a 14-3 lead going into the break. That’s precisely when the boos echoed loudest. This moment highlighted Arch’s dual-threat potential. It, in turn, sparked a debate about whether he can replicate the rushing and passing balance some of his family members are famous for.

Arch has the tools to evolve into a true dual-threat quarterback, much like his grandfather, Archie Manning. His uncles, Peyton and Eli, were more classic, pocket-focused quarterbacks. Arch has the prototypical size and physicality to make designed quarterback runs and escape collapsing pockets. He’s demonstrated this on the field. He rushed for 108 yards and four touchdowns last season on just 25 carries. It’s an average of 4.3 yards per carry, which clearly outpaces the less mobile Quinn Ewers, who preceded him.

This rushing ability allows Texas to open up its offense, especially in short-yardage and red-zone situations. But when will that happen for the Longhorns?