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Trusted sports analyst and former QB thinks he knows why Arch Manning is struggling

Fox's Joel Klatt has a theory on why Arch Manning is currently underwhelming at Texas right now, and honestly, it makes a lot of sense.
ByMatthew Wilson|
Sep 6, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) and teammates wear Texas sticker on their helmets with a star honoring Texas flood victims during the game against San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) and teammates wear Texas sticker on their helmets with a star honoring Texas flood victims during the game against San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Joel Klatt recently appeared on an episode of First Thing's First with Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes. They talked about a host of different things, but the most captivating topic was Arch Manning and his current struggles at Texas.

Chris Broussard asked Klatt about why Manning played so well in 2024, and why he thinks there's a difference this year.

"Is it the pressure?", asked Broussard.

"Is the pressure getting to him? Well, we just spent 7 minutes on a nationally televised show talking about him. That's unique." Klatt said. “The pressure is there which leads to him pressing which leads to him being ahead of the offense. It all to me is a domino effect.”

Everyone technically knew or should've known that a lot of the problem was the amount of pressure that Arch Manning has on his shoulders, but Klatt just gave it some substance.

Manning "pressing" means that he's forcing things to happen regardless of whether they're there or not, which is evident by some of the throws that he's been trying to make. There have been multiple occasions in 2025 where he'll throw into double coverage, or try to force a throw into a passing window that's not there. One of the most recent instances was against UTEP when he tried to throw across his body on 4th down into the endzone, when it was intercepted.

Manning should've known that throwing back across his body like that wasn't smart, and that the window to try and fit that ball in there was incredibly small. The defender was already bearing down on the receiver when he began his initial throwing motion.

The pressure to succeed and make "big" plays has gotten to the mind of Manning, and he just needs to settle down and do a better job of blocking out the noise. He has to do what he did last season and just play within the confines of the offense.

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