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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 17: Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning #16 passes the ball during the SEC football game between the Texas Longhorns and Florida Gators on October 17, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It was apparent from the word “go” against the No. 34-ranked Gators that the offensive game plan for Texas was to remain mostly committed to the stuff that Longhorns’ quarterback Arch Manning does best:

• Hand the ball off

⎯and⎯

• Throw short passes (0-9 yards)

Manning only deviated from that plan four times in the first half- with three deep shots (+20 yards) and one into the intermediate route level (10-19 yards). Two of his deep passes were incompletions; the other drew a pass-interference call.

Ho-hum.

It felt like Texas’ coaches trusted their rushing attack more than they trusted Manning’s right arm.

The Longhorns’ special teams chipped in with a punt return for a touchdown.

Texas led at the half, 17-10, but it didn’t feel like that was going to be enough.

And it wasn’t.

WATCH TEXAS VS. FLORIDA BY CLICKING HERE

Second half

It didn’t take long for the Gators to knot it up at 17-17. But they took forever to do it. Florida held the ball from 15:00 to 6:50 remaining in the third.

How did Manning respond?

More handoffs and short passes.

Before you knew it, the Gators were up 27-17 in front of the Longhorns’ fans, and a hush fell over the crowd.

Now what?

Manning responded…kind of

I noticed this in Texas’ earlier game this season against Ohio State, and I noticed it again in this one.

Manning seems to play his best football when his back is against the wall.

Just when I thought that’s it…

Manning unleashed two got-to-have-it-throws. One of them was a do-or-die pass on 4th-and-7. The other, a laser beam into the end zone for a touchdown.

Bang-bang. Just like that.

Okay then.

And for a brief couple of moments, the Manning in him came out.

Credit to the Longhorns’ coaches against the Gators

Ever since Manning took over as the starting quarterback in 2025, it seems like the offensive game planning focus has been geared toward getting Manning “NFL-ready,” but it’s done nothing but bog him down and hurt his confidence.

Back in 2023-2024, when Manning was getting spot reps, he was making mostly elementary one-read (his first read) throws – with a small handful of second-read throws mixed in. NFL quarterbacks are expected to routinely make second (or more) read throws.

Manning looked so much more confident back then.

In 2025, they pushed him to make more second-read throws, but it messed him up. He had a heck of a time marrying his lower body to his upper body while throwing beyond his first read. It looked like his upper and lower body had two minds of their own.

It hasn’t gotten any better in 2026.

However, in this game, Texas’ coaches got him back to making mostly one-read throws again.

And it almost worked.

Key word: almost.

With the game on the line, the Longhorns got the ball back one last time later in the 4th quarter, but Manning fumbled when he was sacked; the Gators recovered and ran out the clock.

Game over.

Florida 27 – Texas 24

NFL takeaway

Manning is what he is.

He’s an inconsistent game manager who is capable of making the occasional big play.

In other words, he looks like a career NFL backup. The fact that he continues to struggle protecting the football (two pass breakups and one fumble in this game) and continues to do a below-average job protecting his body as a runner eliminates him from starting consideration at this point in his evaluation.

Too risky.

What other stuff did I like from an NFL perspective that he did against the Gators?

Pre- and post-snap process was quicker than it’s been in any other game this season – Manning had his second-fastest time to throw since becoming the starter (PFF: 2.55 seconds)

Looked more relaxed

Kept his eyes downfield

There’s a handful of additional “NFL concerns” that popped in this game:

Mostly took snaps out of shotgun formation (NFL quarterbacks need to be able to play from under center)

Clapping cadence (NFL quarterbacks do a verbal cadence)

Zero pocket awareness

Bad body language

From here⎯

Texas needs to continue to dial it back for Manning and try to restore his confidence.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.