Danny Kanell doubles down on his take of Arch Manning keeping Texas out of College Football Playoff

Texas did not enjoy the season debut of quarterback Arch Manning too much. Manning struggled against a good Ohio State defense in Columbus, not getting going until the fourth quarter. But by that time, it was too little too late for Steve Sarkisian‘s bunch. Certainly not what anyone in Austin thought was coming.

One who predicted some struggles was Danny Kanell. In fact, he did not pick Texas to make the College Football Playoff due to Manning being a first-year player. A comparison was made to LSU‘s Garrett Nussmeier from last season, someone who also spent some time on the bench.

“I had Texas missing the playoffs because of Arch,” Kanell said via Always College Football. “And not because I don’t think he’s good. But because he’s a first-year starter, it’s kind of normal. Look at Garrett Nussmeier last season, who waited his time, was there for four years before he got the opportunity. He struggled in big moments, on the road, specifically. So, I was expecting that kind of performance.”

Manning completed just 17 of 30 passes, going for 170 yards. His lone touchdown was a nice pass to Parker Livingstone in the back of the end zone, giving Texas life late. But earlier in the game, the interception from Manning was just as bad.

Some might point out how difficult of an environment Manning walked into, possibly playing a role. Kanell would counter, pointing how how the schedule is not going to lighten up. Especially in games played away from Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

“The reason I was concerned about him was they have two more massive road games,” Kanell said. “They have to go to Gainesville, which, all of a sudden, that looks much more competitive. They have to go to Athens and that doesn’t include the Red River Rivalry. They’ve got Oklahoma. So, it was about their schedule being a lot harder this year and that Arch is, kind of, going to be a work in progress.”

Florida will be first up of the three Kanell mentioned. Texas has three nonconference games to get back on the right track offensively. None of them figures to be too big a test. So, next time Manning is facing a big-time challenge, another stadium will be rocking in an attempt to throw off the third-year player. How he responds could wind up being the difference between a CFP appearance and not.