Paul Finebaum reacts to Texas fans booing Arch Manning: 'Why wouldn't you?'

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum had no problem with Arch Manning being booed by the Texas fans during the Longhorns’ win Saturday. Texas won 27-10, but it was a less than stellar passing performance from Manning and the rest of the offense.

Manning was responsible for three total touchdowns, but completed less than 50% of his passes. It was the second game within the first three where he’s struggled.

So when the fans booed him, Finebaum had no problem with it. Not only that, it could be deserved considering the hype and praise he and others gave Manning prior to the season.

“I do not (have a problem with him being booed),” Finebaum said on First Take. “And the reason Molly is this, Arch Manning is getting paid money. He is. He is out there like everybody else. And I support fans who spend a lot of money a lot of their time. Sometimes they save up all year so they can go to a Texas or an Alabama or Georgia game. And by the way, why wouldn’t you boo Arch Manning the way he has been playing? It was interesting. A couple weeks ago, they were embracing him like I was, but they’re frustrated. 

“Everybody gets the same treatment. Arch Manning is no better or no worse than any other player who wears that burnt orange. And quite frankly, I think it was refreshing to see fans letting out some steam, even on the so-called chosen one who I put up on a pedestal.”

As far as why Manning is struggling, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian claimed it was all mental. If that’s the case, Longhorn fans are hoping it’s an issue that gets solved quickly.

“Yeah, you know, I would probably say for the most part it’s all mental, quite frankly,” Sarkisian said. “Right? When you really think about the physical ability to make throws. And now it’s trust belief, confidence, all those things that play into it.”

There’s one area in particular that Manning really needs to work on, per Sarkisian. That’s his ability to flush things.

That did not happen on Saturday in the game against UTEP, when Manning threw 10 straight incompletions at one point. Quite simply, he needs to get better at pushing the reset button.

“His ability to move on to the next play I think is something that we’ve got to continue to work on and not harbor the last plays and the last plays and the last plays,” Sarkisian said. “And have the ability to refocus, recalibrate and focus on the next play.”