Paul Finebaum pushes back on Heather Dinich saying Arch Manning won't be best QB in college football

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum pushed back on co-worker Heather Dinich regarding her recent Arch Manning take ahead of SEC Media Days. Since it’s time to break down all SEC teams, the takes are starting to fly midway through the summer.

Finebaum’s been on record saying Manning is going to be a superstar and have the best chance to win a national championship and Heisman this year with Texas. Dinich wanted to pump the brakes a bit as Manning goes into his first year as the starter.

Manning, who sat behind Quinn Ewers for two years, has developed. However, he’s not quite at the level of some others around the country, per Dinich.

“Arch Manning is not going to be the best quarterback in the country or the SEC this year,” Dinich said on Get Up. “He needs time to learn, grow and make mistakes. Meanwhile, look out for LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Penn State’s Drew Allar, how about Cade Klubnik at Clemson? And don’t forget about DJ Lagway at Florida, who’s going to be the key to their whole season, if he can stay healthy. Arch Manning is going to be good, but he needs time to get great.”

That’s where Finebaum pushed back. Manning doesn’t have to be the best QB in the country to have success only because he’s surrounded by great talent and coaching.

“Peter, I’m already getting irritated, we haven’t even started,” Finebaum said. “Arch Manning is not like some kid you just dropped off on his first day of school. He’s got some background here, and Heather just always wants to look past the glamour boy and look to somebody in the Big Ten, or even Cade Klubnik, who I agree with. He could be the best quarterback, but Arch Manning does not have to be the best quarterback, because he’s on the best team on both sides of the ball.”

Finebaum previously conceded that Manning has tremendous expectations fair or not. If he doesn’t live up or close to the hype, the criticism will be deafening.

“He’s the greatest player in the history of college football, and that is Arch Manning. I mean, I don’t know what else we can say about him, but we’ll keep saying it,” Finebaum stated, with a tinge of sarcasm. “Unfortunately, that comes with pressure. Everyone will be watching him against Ohio State on that first Saturday. If he doesn’t perform, the critics will rain down.”