PAUL FINEBAUM CRITICISES ARCH MANNING AFTER TEXAS LOSS TO OKLAHOMA

Paul Finebaum said on ESPN College Football on 10 October that he had lost confidence in Arch Manning's ability as Texas Longhorns quarterback, following the team's 24-27 defeat to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River rivalry. Finebaum said: "We showed arrogance in believing that Arch Manning can do anything." He said he had been "troubled" by Manning's form, adding that the quarterback "can be great in moments... but he can just be downright stupid in others." The remarks mark a reversal from Finebaum's earlier support for Manning through the season.

In the game, Manning completed 19 of 31 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns. Two fourth-quarter interceptions proved costly for Texas. Oklahoma's Peyton Bowen intercepted one Manning pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown, giving the Sooners their first lead of the game. Manning then threw a second interception, handing Oklahoma a further opportunity. Finebaum credited Manning with one strong late play that set up a Texas touchdown, but said it did not offset the wider inconsistency he said he had seen from the quarterback.

Finebaum had previously defended Manning when criticism mounted over a dispute involving Holly Rowe, arguing the quarterback had been unfairly singled out. He had also praised Manning after Texas overturned a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the then-top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, with Manning leading three consecutive touchdown drives, calling him "the personification of a great college quarterback" at the time. A separate report said a former Texas roommate of Manning's was criticised for leading celebrations for Oklahoma after the win over his former team. Texas have not issued a response to Finebaum's comments.