Texas quarterback Arch Manning enters Athens riding momentum after showing clear improvement, but Saturday’s trip to Georgia is the test that will tell whether those improvements can carry the Longhorns through the stretch run.
On ESPN’s College GameDay, Nick Saban offered an honest assessment of Manning and outlined what Steve Sarkisian’s offense must do to keep the ball rolling.
“This is a big day for Texas. Big opportunity for Sark and Arch Manning… I think the last two weeks, Arch has played really, really well. And I think the reason for that is for whatever reasons, whether it was a lack of confidence in the O-line or whatever, he played in a hurry. You know, there was no rhythm. And it affected his footwork and accuracy, and all kinds of things… So I think that’s the biggest difference in the way he’s played in the last two weeks, and I think this can be essential for Texas’ success down the road.”
When asked by Kirk Herbstreit what Manning needs to do against Georgia, Saban said, “He’s got to be accurate. And, you know, Georgia has not been able to affect the quarterback significantly this year like they have in the past. So Arch is going to have time. He doesn’t need to get in a hurry; he needs to play with rhythm, take what the defense gives, and I think they can have success.”
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In nine games this season, Manning has completed 168 of 268 of his throws (62.7%) for 2,123 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions, with 203 rushing yards and six rushing TDs.
However, a lot of this production has come over the last two weeks in games against Mississippi State and No. 9 Vanderbilt.
Against the Bulldogs, Manning threw for a career-high 346 passing yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, along with a rushing score; he followed that up with an efficient 328-yard performance against the Commodores, in which he threw for another three TDs and completed 75.8% of his throws.
It’s no coincidence that Manning’s improved accuracy and rhythm have coincided with the Longhorns’ recent four-game win streak.
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Looking at Saturday’s contest against Georgia, Texas enters at 7-2 overall (4-1 SEC) and ranked No. 10 nationally, while the Bulldogs sit at 8-1 (6-1 SEC) and ranked No. 5 overall.
After Georgia, the Longhorns return home to face Arkansas, a team that can put up points in a hurry, before their season finale against No. 4 Texas A&M, one of the stingiest defenses in college football.
With two losses already on the year, all three of these games will be crucial for Manning, Sarkisian, and the Longhorns if they hope to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.