Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt said Wednesday that Texas quarterback Arch Manning “has just been okay at best” through three games and “needs to play better” as the top-ranked Longhorns prepare for their Southeastern Conference opener at No. 14 Tennessee.
Klatt made the comments while appearing on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.” The show’s official account highlighted the assessment in a post that also previewed Saturday’s game in Knoxville.
“He played really gritty, for three series against Ohio State and made some big throws off platform, you know, getting out of there, he played a very gritty schoolyard three series against Ohio State,” Klatt said. “And outside of that, like last week against UTSA, I was like, ‘Ah!’ so he needs to play better.”
Manning, the nephew of former Tennessee star Peyton Manning, has completed 60 of 97 passes for 664 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He has completed 61.9 percent of his attempts this season.
Texas is 3-0 and sits atop The Associated Press Top 25 after receiving 58 of 69 first-place votes in the latest poll. The Longhorns opened with a 59-7 win over Texas State, then rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat then-No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 before defeating UTSA 30-6.
Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns in the opener. Against Ohio State he completed 23 of 37 passes for 195 yards and one score. Last week he went 17 of 33 for 164 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
Manning was blunt after the UTSA game.
“Ultimately not good enough,” he told reporters. “I didn’t play well. Offense was a little sloppy. Got to be better going to beat Tennessee.”
Coach Steve Sarkisian said he wants Manning to play within himself.
“I want him to be Arch Manning, and Arch Manning is plenty good enough to put us in position to win,” Sarkisian said.
The matchup Saturday at Neyland Stadium is the first between the programs since the 1969 Cotton Bowl, when Texas won 36-13. Texas leads the all-time series 2-1. Kickoff is set for noon Eastern on ABC.
Tennessee is also 3-0 and features one of the nation’s most productive rushing attacks, averaging 298.7 yards per game. Running back DeSean Bishop has 286 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon has thrown for 552 yards and six touchdowns without an interception.
Texas has scored 37.7 points per game while allowing 12.0. The Longhorns’ defense has limited opponents to 287.7 yards per contest.
Manning finished last season with 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 starts. He also ran for 399 yards and 10 scores. He has been viewed as a leading candidate for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL draft.
Klatt’s critique focused on consistency rather than raw production. The graphic accompanying the television segment asked whether Manning has looked like a first-overall pick this season.
Texas will face a hostile crowd in Knoxville, where Peyton Manning starred in the late 1990s. Arch Manning has not previously played at Neyland Stadium.
Both teams enter conference play undefeated. A Texas victory would strengthen its hold on the No. 1 ranking. A Tennessee win would instantly reshape the SEC East picture and the national playoff conversation.
Manning’s next performance will be measured against the high expectations that have followed him since high school. Klatt’s comments added another layer of scrutiny two days before the Longhorns take the field.
