yahoo
Texas suffered a surprising home defeat to Florida as the No. 7 team, just a week after falling to Oklahoma as the top-ranked squad. Quarterback Arch Manning, who threw two fourth-quarter interceptions in the Oklahoma loss, continued to struggle against the Gators, failing to read the field effectively and committing a late fumble that helped Florida secure the upset.
ESPN's Paul Finebaum, appearing on "The Matt Barrie Show," directed sharp criticism at Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian for Manning's performance and the overall state of the team. Finebaum expressed bewilderment at Sarkisian's approach, stating, "I have no earthly idea what Steve Sarkisian is doing. I think we all agree that he shouldn't be calling the plays." He added that there are too many distractions on the sideline and that Sarkisian has "made an absolute mess out of the most talented team in the country."
Finebaum also took issue with Sarkisian's previous retort to critics, calling it "the idiotic take of the year" and accusing the coach of arrogance. He questioned whether Manning should even start against Ole Miss but acknowledged that the quarterback likely will and is capable of leading a win. Nonetheless, Finebaum placed the blame squarely on Sarkisian: "I blame Sarkisian for every aspect of this."
Key Analysis
Finebaum's remarks highlight growing scrutiny on Sarkisian's play-calling and quarterback development, especially with a highly touted talent like Manning under center. The Longhorns' recent losses have amplified pressure on the coaching staff, and the upcoming game against Ole Miss will be a critical test for both Sarkisian and Manning.
Originally reported by yahoo.