Paul Finebaum Calls For Texas To Bench Arch Manning, 'It's Time'

Paul Finebaum thinks it’s time.

The ESPN college football personality believes that it’s time for the University of Texas to bench junior starting quarterback Arch Manning. Texas, which rose to No. 1 overall in the country after a home win vs. Ohio State, has dropped two straight games. The Longhorns fell to Oklahoma and Florida in back-to-back weeks.

Finebaum, known to many as the voice of the SEC, is pushing Texas to bench the starting quarterback.

“Yes, it is time,” Finebaum said Monday on First Take. “It’s a painful thing to say, and we all know the backstory. But what’s the point of continuing this agony? Go ahead and try somebody else. If you’re going to give KJ the reps in practice, let him start the game. I realize it’s Ole Miss. I realize it’s one of the biggest games in the country, and you know, give him a series or two. Are you wasting it? Maybe, but maybe Arch Manning will pick something up on the sideline.”

Finebaum believes it’s mostly Steve Sarkisian’s fault.

“I still think he can be an elite quarterback, but I also believe that Steve Sarkisian has completely screwed it up,” Finebaum said. “First of all, Sarkisian shouldn’t be the offensive coordinator calling the plays. He’s also the head coach. I think I think he has put too much into Arch Manning’s head. I realize we have a quarterback on the panel and let him talk about it. But I’m just giving you the view from from the upper deck. It’s time to make a change at Texas.”

Manning has thrown for 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He has a QBR of 59.2, which ranks 61st in the country.

Texas is disappointed

The Longhorns are admittedly disappointed, though they remain in the playoff hunt, given the expansion to 12 teams.

“Obviously we’re extremely disappointed,” Sarkisian said postgame. “We didn’t play very good football today outside of the first quarter. We kind of bled out and ended up controlling the ball in the second half.

“Our inability to be effective on first down, and our ability to convert short-down situations. Really was the snapshot of it all. Very disappointed, but we’ll work and get back. We’ve got a better team than how we’re playing right now. It’s my job to figure out how to get us to play closer to our potential.”

Texas will return to play on Saturday against No. 7 Ole Miss.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Oct 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.