Paul Finebaum credits Arch Manning, explains Texas' path to College Football Playoff

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum credited Arch Manning for Texas’ recent resurgence, as well as examined their College Football Playoff path. Now at 7-2 and inching closer to the top 10 again, the Longhorns could very well get back to where they expected to be at the beginning of the season.

Texas edged Vanderbilt 34-31 over the weekend with Manning turning in another solid performance. But moving forward, as Finebaum outlined, Texas has a chance to make a massive statement.

With three games left, Texas has No. 5 Georgia on the road on November 15th, Arkansas at home and then No. 3 Texas A&M at home to conclude the season. Safe to say, it’s a bit of a season-end gauntlet.

“It gives them life, and it was also the best performance we have seen from Arch Manning,” Finebaum said on SportsCenter. “All those people like me who had him winning the Heisman two months ago, got a little bit of redemption, but probably not enough in time. But here’s the problem, they need to win at least one of those two of those final three games. They’ll beat Arkansas, the worst team in the league. But if they win at Georgia and (Texas) A&M, they’re in the playoffs. 

“If they win at one, especially at Georgia, they may get in anyway. Remember, they could have three losses and still be a viable team for this reason. They had that opening season loss. It was a close loss, seven points the first week of the season at Ohio State. So that gives them a little more leverage than some of the other schools around the country who have not played a schedule like that.”

In the win over Vandy, Manning was 25-of-33 passing for 328 yards and three touchdowns. Sarkisian has to be satisfied as of late, as Manning; stat line over the course of the season looks pretty solid: 2,123 yards, 18 touchdowns, six interceptions, a 62.7% completion percentage, 203 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

“I thought we spread the field a little bit more,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “I thought we got the ball in the perimeter. I thought our guys are getting more comfortable playing the ball in space and creating explosive plays, and that, hopefully over time, is going to help us in the run game. There was a time there when the game felt really hard and a lot of bodies in the box. And so we try to air out a little bit more. And I think Arch has managed that. 

“You know, he’s managed it much better, and that puts a little more toll on the quarterback, but he’s making really good decisions for us. We’re taking advantage of the advantage throws on the RPOs, and our skill players are making plays right now.”