Desmond Howard claims Arch Manning debut struggles were predictable

The college football offseason was spent building up Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the next legendary figure in the college football landscape, as he drew comparisons to all-time legends such as Tim Tebow, Cam Newton and Joe Burrow.

Manning’s first big-time start as Texas‘ starting quarterback however didn’t quite go to plan, as his Longhorns fell 14-7 to Ohio State in Columbus. His performance wasn’t bad, but it didn’t really jump off the page like many expected it to. The third-generation Manning passed for just 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss.

ESPN College GameDay‘s Desmond Howard took to Wednesday’s edition of The Rich Eisen Show, where he said that Manning’s struggles in his first high-profile game were ‘predictable’.

“It was predictable,” Howard said. “I was on Stephen A. Smith‘s show on the Friday before the Ohio State game and I went on First Take and I was telling them that I thought the hype and Heisman talk around him was unwarranted. I said that unless he was a guy that was on stage last year at the Heisman ceremony as a legitimate finalist, he doesn’t warrant having his name mentioned in the same breath as that trophy. If you think he’s somewhat a quarterback that’s gonna have a successful season, why don’t you start talking about the Davey O’Brien Award or the Johnny Unitas Award.”

Whatever those quarterback awards, but not the best football player in the country. And I also said that he was a guy who didn’t jump out at me on tape. He had moments and they’re gonna show those big moments on SportsCenter, but if you really watch the tape there was nothing consistent that made you think he was the best player in college football.”

Howard laments Manning’s decision making in loss

“I saw guys on SportsCenter and other shows pulling like three tape plays and showing how (Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia) may have confused Arch Manning with a look or secondary switch at the last minute,” Howard continued. “I’m watching the film and I can show you 10-12 plays where guys were running wide open and he either just didn’t hit them with the ball or he didn’t see these guys. It wasn’t that complex or complicated.”

“He struggled the way I thought he would struggle because even though he’s been in the system, you look at him and he’s never really played in these meaningful games. The hype was blown way out of proportion for Arch Manning.”

While Howard criticized Manning, his College GameDay co-host Kirk Herbstreit revealed that he still believes in the Heisman hopeful.

“With Arch Manning, I think they’ll have a chance to get back,” Herbsteit said. “That was a tough ask to go into Ohio Stadium, defending national champs, with a quarterback who had a couple starts last year, but this was his first ‘It’s his team now’ kind of moment against a really athletic Ohio State defense with Matt Patricia. But they’ll go back. They’ll learn from that. I think Texas is gonna be fine. Tough schedule in the SEC, but I think at the end of the day, they still be a team that’s gonna end up making the playoff.”

Arch and his Longhorns will be back in action on Saturday against San José State. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:00 PM on ABC.