Paul Finebaum is doubling down on his aggressive guesses regarding Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns. On the path to the 2025 season, the SEC Network analyst has become one of Manning’s biggest promoters.
On “The Paul Finebaum Show,” the longtime host responded to the latest second-guessing of the highly touted quarterback.
“You buy stocks on what you think they’re going to be worth,” Finebaum explained. “I’m giving comments, and others are as well on Arch, in terms of what we don’t know.”
The Alabama native admitted that Manning’s critics have some valid points. But Finebaum sees something different when he assesses Manning’s future. He has this feeling based on one important element, which is Steve Sarkisian’s unwavering confidence in his quarterback.
“Steve Sarkisian believes in the guy, and I believe in Steve Sarkisian,” Finebaum stated with conviction.
This endorsement from Sarkisian holds a lot of relevance as he has turned the Texas program from a team seeking relevance to a College Football Playoff contender. His ability to develop quarterbacks transformed Quinn Ewers into one of the most trustworthy signal-callers in the country.
Paul Finebaum Predicts Championship-Level Success for Arch Manning’s Texas Squad
Finebaum’s enthusiasm goes beyond Manning’s individual performance. He expects the Texas program as a whole will have significant success in 2025.
The analyst even predicted an 11-1 regular season record for the Longhorns. The only two games on their schedule that concern him are road games at Florida and Georgia.
“I would go with 11-1,” Finebaum previously stated.
“I think Georgia and Florida are the two toughest games. I think Oklahoma could be pretty close after that.”
Many observers have questions about his confidence in the season opener against Ohio State. The Buckeyes return home as reigning champions and have championship aspirations of their own.
But Finebaum thinks Texas will upset the Buckeyes in Columbus. This prediction shows his faith in Manning’s ability to deliver under the brightest lights.
Meanwhile, Greg McElroy provided a slightly sceptical perspective to Finebaum’s optimism. The ESPN analyst McElroy previously admitted on his radio show, McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, that he wants to see Manning prove himself against elite contention before making him an elite player.
“I love Arch Manning,” McElroy Admitted.
“But until he goes out there and does it against Ohio State, I’m going to have questions.”
In terms of returning production, Texas ranks 103rd in the country with only 29 per cent of offensive players. Of the six receivers who had the most action last year, four are gone. The second-leading rusher moved on. Four of the five starting offensive linemen have graduated.
The pressure could not be any more on Manning’s first appearance. The Texas Longhorns’ first game of the 2025 season is on August 30, 2025, against Ohio State, with the latter side playing hosts.
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