What Texas QB Arch Manning needs to show in week 2 to silence his critics

Coming off of my “good, bad, and ugly” breakdown of Arch Manning’s debut against Ohio State in week 1, I now shift gears to week 2 against the San Jose State Spartans. We all expect the No. 7 ranked (0-1) Longhorns to score lots of points, which is excellent, but it's besides the point. For a quarterback to truly develop, they must take every game and rep seriously.

Here’s what I need to see from Manning in week 2:

Faster Reads & Quicker Release

I saw hesitation in his reads last week, especially on that third-quarter interception, where the late pass allowed an Ohio State safety to close the pass lane. I’d like to see him throw with anticipation and purpose today.

Smooth Footwork & Lower Body Mechanics

His footwork was inconsistent on drop-backs, especially when pressured, impacting accuracy and execution. This week, he must display more consistency in his base and balance—get your feet under you before throwing the ball. Manning had no velocity on his throws due to the power left in his back leg. He needs to flip the hips by dragging the big toe.

Early Mobility to Spark the Offense

When Manning scrambles, it helps spark the offense—and I think he should do it sooner. He added 38 rushing yards on 10 carries last week. I need to see him use his legs more confidently and purposefully this week.

Create Explosive Plays Downfield

Texas only generated one touchdown on that late Parker Livingstone strike. The goal is to increase the explosive-play rate from 10% to 20%. I want to see Manning throw the ball downfield and build chemistry with his talented receivers.

Improvisation When the Play Breaks Down

When the offense stalls or there are no receivers open, we need to see if Manning can make something out of nothing. He’s shown flashes of it but the offense needs more from him.

Bottom Line: Build Confidence in Week 2

Manning doesn’t have to be perfect —but he must be sharper, more decisive, and throw with a purpose. Lower body mechanics, anticipation, and explosive throws—that’s Week 2 on offense. Get those, and the confidence starts to build.