Colin Cowherd claims Arch Manning's early struggles are 'the greatest thing that's ever happened to him'

Three games into his first season as Texas’ starting quarterback, Arch Manning is already hearing boos from his own fanbase amid a rocky third season in Austin for the former No. 1 overall recruit. The latest heckling came this past after another lackluster first-half performance from the Longhorns offense in last Saturday’s 27-10 win over in-state non-conference foe UTEP.

Outside of a five-touchdown, 295-yard passing game against San Jose State two weeks ago, Manning has struggled with consistency, completing just 50.9-percent of his passes (28-of-55) for 284 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions. And while college football analysts everywhere have debated what’s “wrong” with the Texas QB, at least one views Manning’s early struggles as a valuable growth opportunity that will pay dividends when he eventually makes it into the NFL.

“I think (for) Arch Manning, actually, this is the greatest thing that ever happened to him,” FS1’s Colin Cowherd said during a segment with Joel Klatt on Wednesday’s episode of The Herd. “It’s real turbulence. Texas football, receivers are hurt, on his third-string running back, new O-line, his mechanics are weird. I’m going to argue this is essential if you’re going to make it on Sundays.”

ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy was one of several to cite clear issues with Manning’s mechanics.

“Here’s what I’ll say. There’s a lot to clean up – and it starts with his mechanics. When things are sideways and things are moving a million miles an hour, he’s got to clean up his mechanics,” McElroy said on Tuesday’s SportsCenter “He’s short-arming the ball. His footwork has not been good. He’s stepping in the bucket, he’s over-striding. All those things are leading to him becoming a little inaccurate. And then, there have been times when he’s rushing, as well. … Just allow the receiver to run underneath it instead of just hurrying. Everything is happening too fast right now for Arch.

“So it’s going to be for him and for Steve Sarkisian, his play-caller, to get him more comfortable in the game plan. Get him comfortable playing the position. And focus this week not about who you’re playing against, but more on what you need to do to be successful. … Let’s focus on the footwork, the drops, the mechanics, the progressions, the reads and the accuracy. That’s where it starts because he’s got plenty of talent. Now, he’s just got to play his way into it.”

Of course, Manning and the No. 8 Longhorns (2-1) get another chance to address his deficiencies Saturday against Sam Houston State before kicking off SEC play Oct. 4 at Florida. And if he can’t make the appropriate fixes before starting conference play, expect even more boos in Austin moving forward.