After a poor showing against the Buckeyes, Arch Manning rebounded against San Jose State. However, something seemed off, raising speculations about a possible injury for the star QB. When Steve Sarkisian was asked about this, he went viral with his response. This did not sit well with Paul Finebaum.   

In the Week 2 game, Manning completed 19 of 30 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns, slicing through the Spartans’ secondary. Still, there was some shakiness to his game, and he was seen wincing after some throws. In the Monday press conference, naturally, that was brought up. While Sarkisian slammed the door shut on the speculations, Finebaum called out the head coach.

On the September 8th episode of ESPN’s First Take, the viral Sarkisian presser was played. Finebaum was asked to comment on it. He did not pull any punches. “I thought they were completely and totally inappropriate. And this is coming from someone who is a big fan of Steve Sarkisian, but what was the point of that? If Arch isn’t having any health problems, just simply say, ‘He’s fine. We checked him out and we’re happy.’ Why go after the media for something that’s just sorted? Really, quite frankly disgusting.” But how bad was Sark’s response?

The conversation rolled like this. The reporter asked, “Arch Manning seemed to be having some throwing pains by the…” The head coach did not wait for the reporter to finish speaking when he cut through, inquiring, “According to who?” “Arch…” fumbled the reporter. Sarkisian went back at him, questioning, “Arch said that to you?” “No…It just looked like he was” answered the reporter. Sarkisian then shut down the conversation, claiming, “He doesn’t have any.” What followed was the part that made this answer go viral. “I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the bathroom,” Sarkisian said. “So, I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that.” 

This answer was completely unnecessary for such a simple question. Turns out that the head coach is being extra protective about his quarterback, when Manning himself seems to believe that he did not give 100% against San Jose State. 

Arch Manning disappoints one of his biggest supporters

“I hold myself to a high standard. I’ve got to play better, got to lead more, got to get our guys to play well around me, and ultimately I wasn’t good enough,” said Manning. Though the performance was against a lesser opponent, his numbers were better than his 170-yard showing versus Ohio State in Week 1. Against the Buckeyes, Sarkisian’s quarterback went 17-of-30 with a touchdown and an interception in a 14-7 loss.

Through his QBR of 56.3, his struggles adjusting to the speed and pressure of elite competition were evident. No matter how hard Sarkisian is rooting for Manning, the young star seems to have already disappointed one of his biggest fans, Finebaum. Do you remember how Manning got the “best player” tag by the ESPN analyst, breaking the long gap after Tim Tebow? Those golden days are gone.

“The bottom line is Arch Manning is not playing like an elite quarterback,” Paul Finebaum said. “He’s barely playing like a pedestrian quarterback.” It also seems like Arch has lost his footing when it comes to the Heisman race. As Burgers&Brats Podcats tweeted, “🚨: John Mateer is the new Heisman front runner #Sooners #cfb.” Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer stands at +800 odds while Manning has been pushed further below, to share the same spot with LaNorris Sellers, at +1300 odds. Will the Longhorns and Manning be able to live up to the expectations or turn out as one of the biggest busts in recent memory?