Over the years, ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum has become well-known for his patented SEC homerism. This weekend, he took it to a new level with some bold words about Arch Manning before he began his first season as a starter – and he immediately regretted it.
Manning entered Saturday’s showdown with the Ohio State Buckeyes as one of the most hyped players in recent memory. Before even playing his first game as a full-time starting quarterback, Manning was already the Heisman Trophy favorite and projected to be the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
After a lackluster performance to open the season, many analysts and pundits were forced to address their rosy predictions about the young quarterback, Finebaum included.
Arch Manning Hype
Heading into Saturday’s game, the Manning hype was nearly out of control as the college football world eagerly awaited what they thought would be his coming-out party.
- Nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning
- Top-rated recruit in the 2023 high school recruiting class
- Preseason Heisman Trophy favorite
- Projected as No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Finebaum was certainly among those buying into the hype.
Paul Finebaum Offers Wild Prediction
During Saturday’s edition of SEC Nation on SEC Network, Finebaum had a pretty wild prediction for what he expected to see from Manning.
“It is the biggest opening game I think we have ever had, and there are a lot of reasons for it,” Finebaum said on the show. “But the biggest reason is Arch Manning. I’ve said it; I’ll say it again. He is the best player we have seen from every aspect since Tim Tebow.”
It was quite a bold prediction, and it did not take long for it to look laughable.
Arch Manning Falls Flat Against Ohio State
To put it bluntly, Manning did not live up to the hype during Saturday’s game against the Buckeyes. The young quarterback missed badly on simple throws, threw a costly interception, and looked confused for most of the game.
Manning completed just 17 of 30 passes, and the vast majority of those completions came behind or within just two yards of the line of scrimmage as his Longhorns struggled to move the ball and didn’t score a single point until late in the fourth quarter.
Needless to say, it was not the coming out party that everyone expected. Manning did not look like a Heisman Trophy contender or the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft; he looked like a young quarterback making his real start on the road against a great defense.
‘I Don’t Mind Being Wrong’
A day after boldly proclaiming Manning as “the best player we have seen from every aspect since Tim Tebow,” Finebaum had to eat his words a bit after a lackluster showing from Manning on Saturday.
During an appearance on The Matt Barrie Show on Sunday morning, Finebaum addressed all the hype surrounding Manning heading into Saturday’s game.
“We’ve only been hearing about Arch Manning since about the seventh grade. It was one of the biggest commitments of all time. It was the biggest debut of all time, and it did transcend sports. That’s what I jumped on with some of my now ridiculous takes. But that’s fine,” Finebaum said, via On3.
Finebaum admits that his prediction did not age well, but he was not bothered, though he does admit to seeing some of the postgame reactions to his comments.
“We’re in the business to express our opinions and what I don’t like, not to be on a soapbox, are those who never give an opinion. I don’t mind being wrong. I think it’s pretty funny — I mean, I get a kick,” Finebaum said. “It got so bad yesterday, I was flying back, and you try to keep up. Nobody in our business admits it, but you try to keep up with what people are saying about you. I couldn’t keep up with it. I finally said, ‘I’ve had enough.’”
Manning will have a whole season to grow and bounce back from the disappointing showing. Perhaps, in time, he’ll ultimately be able to prove Finebaum right, after all.
