University of Texas starting quarterback Arch Manning enters the season hoping to bring the Longhorns into the College Football Playoff. More importantly, the team’s goal of winning a national championship hasn’t changed in over two decades. For the signal-caller, his surname, family legacy, and school dictate that expectations remain high.
As far as personal achievement goes, the Heisman Trophy is the single biggest individual accolade in football. As a result, Manning, if he leads Texas to a successful season, could be in the running. However, one of the biggest voices chimes in with a take on Manning’s true championship prospects.
Kirk Herbstreit Dismisses Longhorns QB Arch Manning’s CFP Title Hopes
Manning, for the second consecutive year, is the undisputed quarterback in Austin. Under those circumstances, the Longhorns will need to fight through the tougher games. Individually, some believe that Manning will hear his name bandied about in Heisman conversations.
However, in a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Kirk Herbstreit articulated his concerns about the team’s upcoming season.
“I think that until they prove that they can handle dealing with that big bullseye, it’s fair to see and question that until they go out there and play these games,” Herbstreit said.
PREDICT THE CFB SEASON: PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor
Texas’ schedule to start the first few games of the season is not easy. For example, after an opening week game against Texas State, three of the next four games are against better teams. First, they welcome Ohio State to Memorial Stadium.
Following a game against UTSA, road trips to Tennessee and a showdown with Oklahoma in Dallas, separated by a bye week, could prove to be defining moments. Herbstreit states that he believes head coach Steve Sarkisian is locked in and that his team’s performance in spots last season should not be a cause for concern.
“I think internally, I’m sure it’s just business as usual,” he added. “I don’t know how much stock to put in, whatever you know, Hookem.com or whatever they are saying about, you know, the offense isn’t looking good. I got a lot of confidence in Sark.”
Sarkisian sits at the controls of a team that many believe should annually contend for a national championship. With a 35-8 record over the last three seasons, you can almost count on Texas winning at least 10 games. For as much as Herbstreit believes in Sarkisian, he appears less than convinced about the team’s chances of winning the national championship.
START PREPARING: PFN’s Free College Fantasy Simulator
“I think what he (Manning) went through last year with the almost unrealistic expectations and living through it,” Herbstreit added. “So, I think dealing with all that allows him to come in, and now he has experience dealing with that kind of pressure. So, I’m not picking them to win at all… I’ve got Notre Dame playing Indiana in the national championship.”
Manning held down the No. 37 spot in the PFN’s CFB QB Impact Rankings, which measure efficiency and production.
For Manning to become a Heisman and CFP contender, he will need to excel against Ohio State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Ole Miss, LSU, and Texas A&M. If he can, he will possess a resume that no quarterback can boast. At the same time, his ability to lead Texas to a national championship is, at best, potentially doubtful.
