‘Is Steve Sarkisian the Right Coach for Him?’ — Stephen A. Smith Offers Bold Arch Manning Defense Amid Growing Doubts About Texas QB

Arch Manning, who is among the most talked-about players in college football, has once again become a topic of conversation after Texas’ disappointing loss against the Oklahoma Sooners.

After the 27-24 loss, many analysts questioned whether Manning and Texas are a good match.

While talking about whether Manning should return to Texas after the 2026 season or declare for the 2027 NFL Draft, Stephen A. Smith coined another possibility.

Stephen A. Smith Questions Steve Sarkisian’s Coaching of Arch Manning

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith questioned Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s handling of the quarterback on “First Take”, while also raising doubts about whether the Texas head coach is the best fit for Manning.

“It ultimately comes down to another question: Is Steve Sarkisian the right coach for him?” Smith questioned. “We know what Steve Sarkisian can do as an offensive mind, as an offensive coordinator. But is it really, really reaching Arch Manning?”

“Steve Sarkisian comes out there Monday in a press conference, and he’s protective of the guy, talking about if his name was Joe Smith on the back of his jersey instead of Manning, we wouldn’t be doing this because he’s beaten four top-10 teams in his 13 starts,” Smith added. “Well, that’s simply not true. We’d be talking about anybody that’s playing at the University of Texas, that is capable but somehow, some way, is underachieving. I don’t give a damn who it is.”

Manning completed 19 of 31 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns in the loss, with scoring throws to Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo helping Texas build a 17-7 halftime lead. However, Oklahoma tied it on Lloyd Avant’s 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter, and both of Manning’s interceptions came in that final period.

PREDICT THE CFB SEASON:PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor

Texas converted 3 of 14 third downs against Oklahoma and ran for 122 yards on 32 carries, with Manning accounting for 20 yards on seven of them.

Manning, a senior, is 14-4 as Texas’ full-time starter at Texas, including a fourth-quarter comeback win over then-No. 1 Ohio State in Week 2 and a 20-17 win at then-No. 14 Tennessee in Week 4. Pro Football Network’s CFB QB Impact Grade has Manning at 78 this season, tied for 58th in the nation.

MORE:‘People Are Unfairly Judging Arch (Manning)’ — Former Auburn Star Cam Newton Wants Everyone To Chill With the Criticism of Texas QB

PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter gives Texas a 72% chance to make the Playoff and a 74.3% chance to beat Florida. A win would lift its Playoff chance to 78.7%, while a loss would drop it to 52.5%.

The Longhorns, who hold an overall record of 4-1 and are 1-1 in SEC play, will now face the Gators in Week 7 on Saturday at noon ET at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.