College football analyst Paul Finebaum never holds back, and his latest take on former Texas QB Quinn Ewers proves it. The ESPN analyst just delivered his harshest criticism yet of the former Texas quarterback while doubling down on his championship predictions for Arch Manning.
With college football season approaching, Finebaum’s comments about what he calls a costly coaching mistake are stirring up serious debate about the Longhorns’ quarterback decisions.
Why Did Paul Finebaum Call Quinn Ewers “Awful” Against Ohio State?
Analyst Paul Finebaum delivered a scathing assessment of both former Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers’ performance and Steve Sarkisian’s decision-making during Texas’s semifinal loss to Ohio State.
“Quinn Ewers was awful. He made a mess out of that game against Ohio State in the semifinals in the Cotton Bowl,” Finebaum stated during a heated television debate about the quarterback situation. The analyst didn’t stop there, directing his criticism at head coach Sarkisian for his quarterback management decisions.
“Steve Sarkisian, who I think is a great coach, should have changed quarterbacks. But he was loyal to a fault,” Finebaum continued, suggesting that Arch Manning should have gotten the opportunity much sooner than he did.
This marks Finebaum’s strongest criticism yet regarding what he views as a pivotal coaching decision that cost Texas a potential national championship. Ewers’s later seventh-round NFL Draft selection by the Miami Dolphins seemed to validate some of Finebaum’s harsh criticism of the quarterback’s overall college performance.
How Is Manning Handling the Championship Expectations?
Despite receiving Heisman Trophy favorite status and widespread championship predictions, Manning has remained humble about the growing expectations. When asked about the preseason hype surrounding his potential, the young quarterback offered a grounded perspective that has impressed even his critics.
“I’m not really sure how to give these opinions because I’ve only played, what, two games? But I guess… That’s nice of him to say, but, you know, that doesn’t mean anything,” Manning said. “Talk is cheap. I got to go prove it.”
His measured approach stands in stark contrast to the bold predictions being made by analysts and betting markets. According to ESPN Bet, Manning currently sits at +750 to win the Heisman despite having only 95 pass attempts over two collegiate seasons, raising questions about the early hype.
Meanwhile, Finebaum went further with his praise for the young quarterback’s work ethic and background.
“Nobody is better prepared. Nobody has been studying the game longer. He texts every day with Archie Manning,” he added, highlighting how Manning learns from his legendary grandfather daily.
The ESPN analyst called Manning “just a total package” despite questions about his limited experience. Finebaum clearly believes Manning’s preparation and football bloodline matter more than the small number of games he has actually played in college so far.
Manning’s statistical output during his limited opportunities has been notable, scoring 13 touchdowns and passing for almost 1,000 yards in just two games as a starter with additional production as a backup. However, critics argue these performances came against weaker opponents like Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, not elite defenses.
The upcoming August 30 clash in Columbus will be the ultimate test for Manning’s readiness and Finebaum’s bold predictions. With Texas investing millions in portal additions and Manning finally getting his opportunity to lead, the stakes couldn’t be higher for proving whether the championship hype matches reality.
