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3 predictions for Arch Manning's first career start vs. ULM

Texas QB Arch Manning gets the call this weekend to start vs. ULM at DKR in primetime.

By Andrew Miller

Arch Manning, Texas football
Arch Manning, Texas football / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
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Arch Manning, Texas football
Arch Manning, Texas football / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Manning improves his processing speed in the pocket

It was hard to nitpick Manning's performance against UTSA last weekend. He was extremely proficient leading the Texas offense in a tough spot coming off the bench early in the game in the second quarter in relief of Ewers after he suffered the injury.

Manning completed 75 percent of his passing attempts while only taking one sack and avoiding any unnecessary turnovers on offense. If there were any two things I could pinpoint as possible areas of improvement for Manning, it would be his processing time in the pocket and seeing delayed and outside blitzers coming up to the box and the line of scrimmage pre-snap.

The latter of those two issues is definitely something that Manning's teammates along the O-Line could help him to pick up pre-snap this weekend against ULM. The only sack Manning took last weekend was from a delayed blitz from a defensive box running down into the box around the line of scrimmage before timing the snap.

Manning saw mostly lighter boxes against UTSA's defense last weekend. Over 60 percent of his dropbacks were against six-man or lighter boxes against UTSA on pass plays (per SIS Data Hub).

I'd expect more of that trend this weekend, since ULM has played mostly light boxes outside of short yardage and goal line situations in their first two games this regular season. ULM plays a true 3-3-5 defense with a three-down linemen front complimented by some athletic downhill linebackers that play the run really well.

Play action will probably be a big part of the gameplan against ULM's defense this weekend, since Manning was nearly perfect against UTSA on those play calls. Manning was 5-for-6 passing for 193 yards and four passing touchdowns against UTSA on play action passes.

With a more defined gameplan and a full week of practice taking reps with the first-team offense, not to mention the confidence after a solid performance last weekend against UTSA, I think Manning will continue to improve while putting up great production against ULM on Saturday night this week.

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