‘I Don’t Trust Arch (Manning)’ — CFB Analyst Isn’t Sold on Texas QB Having Traits That Made Peyton and Eli Manning Legendary
· Yahoo Sports
Arch Manning entered the 2026 season carrying significant expectations because of his family legacy, including his grandfather, Archie Manning, and uncles Eli Manning and Peyton Manning. Through three games, Manning has helped Texas open the season undefeated.
However, prominent football analyst Skip Bayless remains skeptical of Manning’s caliber.
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Skip Bayless Questions Arch Manning’s Poise and Consistency Ahead of Tennessee Clash
Manning and Texas have opened the 2026 season 3-0, with the quarterback producing several strong moments during the Longhorns’ unbeaten start. However, Manning has also drawn skepticism from prominent voices, including Bayless.
“When I watch Arch Manning, he makes me nervous,” Bayless said in a recent episode of the ‘First Take’ show. “I’m edge of seat for him. I root for him because I liked his uncles, loved his grandfather, and he’s next in line, yet his accuracy comes and goes.”
“When he’s good, he’s really good. He’s a Manning, and when he’s bad, which is more often than you would think it would be, he is scary bad.”
Bayless made those comments shortly after Texas’ 30-6 win over UTSA. Manning completed 16 of 32 passes for 161 yards and added 50 rushing yards in the victory.
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Manning will now head to Neyland Stadium, where his uncle Peyton Manning starred during his college career, as Texas prepares to face Tennessee. Despite Texas entering the matchup with a higher ranking, Bayless remains uncertain about whether Manning can consistently meet the expectations surrounding him.
“I watch him on the sideline,” Bayless added. “He gets down on himself. He hangs his head. I don’t see the poise that a Manning should consistently have, so do I trust him at Tennessee? Texas is way better than Tennessee. Arch is playing behind the best line in college football.”
“He’s got the most dynamic receiver duo in college football, and Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo. He’s got a defense that features a top-five edge rusher. They should beat Tennessee. They’re pretty heavily favored to beat Tennessee, but I just don’t trust Arch to consistently play at the level I would expect, maybe unfairly so from a Manning.”
Bayless’ concerns are understandable after Manning’s uneven performance against UTSA, in which the quarterback faced pressure and took several big hits while scrambling.
Texas ultimately relied heavily on its defense and a 231-yard rushing performance to secure the win. Still, Manning’s early-season résumé includes a performance that directly challenges the concerns about his poise and consistency.
Against Ohio State, he helped the Longhorns erase a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit. Texas became the first team in 22 seasons to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit of at least 20 points against an AP No. 1 team.
Manning has also entered the Heisman Trophy conversation and is already a prominent name in discussions surrounding the 2027 NFL Draft and potential No. 1 overall pick.
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PFN analysts Ian Cummings and Jacob Infante recently went through the first round of a 2027 NFL Mock Draft following Week 2 using PFN’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator, with Manning going No. 1 overall despite Cummings arguing that he has yet to establish himself as the clear QB1 or earn that projection.
Manning currently ranks No. 50 nationally in PFN’s College QB Impact score with an 80.0 grade after Week 3. He will have another opportunity against Tennessee to demonstrate his consistency while strengthening his case among the top quarterback prospects in the highly anticipated NFL Draft next year.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.