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The Texas Longhorns quarterback, Arch Manning, enters the 2026 college football season as the consensus favourite to win the Heisman. However, ESPN’s First Take analyst Stephen A. Smith is not ready to crown him the best quarterback in the SEC.
While Smith recognized Manning’s improvement during the 2025 season on First Take, he indicated that he thought Manning would still rank below Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss for the 2026 season.
“The Arch Manning we saw over the last eight games last season was entirely different than the dude we saw in the first five….I don’t see how anybody can just put Arch Manning ahead of him. I’m sorry. I’m not doing it,” Smith said on First Take, via @FirstTake on X, July 20, 2026.
Smith posits consistency and high-stakes performance, and the difference between Manning and Chambliss is the first and last five games.
Manning struggled during the first five but surged during the last eight, while Chambliss sustained elite production throughout the entire season.
That argument is reinforced by the stats because Chambliss passed for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns and 3 interceptions and an 86.5 QBR (5th in the FBS), while also being awarded SEC Newcomer of the Year.
Manning passed for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with a 78.0 QBR (17th), per @FirstTake on X, July 20, 2026.
But those statistics don’t give the full picture of what fixes are needed from Manning in order for Texas to earn the 2026 championship.
ESPN analyst says Manning consistency key to Texas championship run
According to ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers, Texas has an opportunity to capture a national championship in 2026, but only if a certain area improves.
Rodgers described on ESPN’s Get Up exactly what changes are necessary as the university heads into the new season.
The analyst pointed towards Manning’s short-game accuracy as the specific area requiring improvement.
“If he’s more efficient and consistent, Texas will get to a national championship,” Rodgers said, via @GetUpESPN on X, July 20, 2026.
In 2025, Manning had a completion percentage of just 61.4%. Misses against elite SEC defenses were routine and were mostly due to mechanical issues, inconsistent footwork, and inconsistent release.
The Longhorns have surrounded their young quarterback with elite left tackle Trevor Goosby protecting his blind side and explosive targets like transfer Cam Coleman and returning playmaker Ryan Wingo stretching defenses.
On the other side of the ball, star edge rusher Colin Simmons headlines a defense.
Do you think Manning can build on his last campaign and produce elite numbers in the upcoming season?
