The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Texas. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and hand out progress reports. At the center of the Longhorns’ offense is Arch Manning, who took over as the full-time starter this fall. After four games, his grade comes in at a C-. This isn’t a knock, it’s a realistic look at a quarterback showing flashes of talent, stretches of inconsistency, and plenty of room to grow as SEC play heats up.
Why a C-?
The numbers tell the story. Manning has a 57.2 QBR, completed 61.3% of his passes for 888 yards, thrown 9 touchdowns against 3 interceptions, and averaged 8.4 yards per attempt. On the ground, he’s added 5 rushing touchdowns and 4.4 yards per carry. Only three sacks in four games? Credit his pocket awareness and the offensive line. On paper, it’s solid but not spectacular. Completion percentage is steady but not enough to consistently sustain drives. Turnovers have come at the worst times, and while his rushing scores show athleticism, the passing game hasn’t always finished drives.
Perspective
For a first-year starter in the SEC, a C- isn’t cause for alarm. Think of it like a tough professor giving mid-term grades — the material is hard, the exam is brutal, and “average” still shows progress. Manning may have felt the pressure, but he hasn’t folded in hostile environments. He’s kept Texas competitive even when his own execution faltered. That poise is key — the foundation for long-term success is there. He just needs some refinement.
The Path Forward
The bye week gives Sarkisian and staff a chance to tailor the offense to Manning’s strengths while speeding up his reads and tightening his accuracy.
Key areas:
Smarter decisions: Trust progressions and get the ball out on time. No guesswork.
Consistency in mechanics: Short- and mid-range throws matter. Feet first, then flip the hips.
Finishing drives: Red-zone execution could make the difference between a bowl game or SEC relevance.
Even small gains here could turn a C- into a B or better by season’s end.
Final Remarks
Manning’s progress report isn’t flashy, but it’s not damning either. A C- reflects a first-year starter learning in one of the nation’s toughest conferences. The first half of the season was about learning; the second half will be about growth and execution. Longhorns fans, take heart: Manning has shown enough to believe the best is ahead. Improve the mistakes, raise the game, and Texas’ offense will rise with him.